Joan Laporta provides a positive update on Messi and Griezmann’s Barca future

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident that they will soon have Lionel Messi back officially. Additionally, he has also stated that the club is happy with Griezmann and would continue to support him as a Blaugrana player. 

“Everyone is happy with Griezmann. He’s a true professional. He has a contract with Barca and we have to respect that,” said the Camp Nou chief.

“We are in the process of getting Messi to stay. He wants to stay at Barca and we have to make sure that happens” Laporta told Barca’s official media channel at the presentation of summer signing Emerson Royal on Monday.

“We all want Messi in La Liga because he is a world-class player, the best in the world, and he clearly helps to promote the league. I know Leo wants to stay and appreciate that highly. Everything is very much on the right track.”

According to the latest reports, Messi still has an agreement with Barcelona for a five-year contract but is yet to sign the deal formally. He is a free agent as of now, and has not returned to training with Barcelona as a result of the situation. 

Griezmann has been linked with a transfer away from the club throughout the summer, but the rumours seem to have died down in recent days. The France international has maintained that he will only leave Barcelona for Atletico Madrid. The Rojiblancos and Barcelona were in talks for a swap deal with Saul and Griezmann, but were unable to find an agreement. And it now seems like the striker will continue to represent Barcelona this upcoming season.