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- Lionel Messi and Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement to keep him at the Catalan club.
- The reported deal lasts for five years and would see Messi take a $305,000-per-week pay cut.
- The Argentine had been linked with moves to Manchester City and PSG, as well as Inter Miami.
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Lionel Messi's stay at Barcelona is set to continue after the two parties reportedly agreed a new deal.
Messi has been a free agent since June 30 after his previous deal expired, but Spanish outlet Diario Sport reports that an extension has now been agreed.
The outlet said Wednesday that the Catalan club's captain has taken a 50% pay cut to continue with the team as Barcelona tries to balance the books.
According to Goal, Messi's last contract earned him a net salary of around 515,000 euros ($610,000) a week meaning his new contract would see him take home 257,000 euros ($305,000) a week.
In the past, Barcelona has offered club legends such as Andrés Iniesta lifetime contracts meaning they would stay at the club until they retire. The club has not done so with Messi, setting a five-year limit on the deal. If he stays for the entirety of the deal, he would have been at the club for 25 years.
Ever since his failed attempt to leave last summer, there have been reports Messi, who has scored 672 goals for Barcelona, could exit at the end of his contract, with PSG and Manchester City often regarded as the most likely suitors.
There were even growing suggestions that he would make the switch state-side and link-up with David Beckham at Inter Miami but considering Messi would be 39 by the end of the new deal, it seemingly puts an end to the speculation.
Despite Messi's agreement to a lower paid contract, Barcelona still need to cut salary costs and there have been reports that France star Antoine Griezmann could be out the door.