Ex-Barcelona vice president expects Lionel Messi to stay

Former Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre believes that Lionel Messi will sign a new contract and stay at the club beyond this season.

The Argentina international has been heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou and will see his current deal expire in June.

Both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race to sign the 33-year-old, and the pair are understood to be the only two clubs who can afford his wage demands.

However, Mestre has told Spanish news outlet Sin Concesiones that Messi "will continue" at Barcelona but did also say that if he leaves the club then it "won't be for money."

Messi, who has been with the Catalan club since 2004, is set to make a decision over his future at the end of the season.

Barcelona are yet to open talks with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner over a new contract but are hoping to begin negotiations soon.

However, as the club are in such financial turmoil – with debts totalling over £1bn – Barcelona have delayed talks with Messi representatives as they continue to assess whether they can afford to offer him a new deal.