Topics: Transfer, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Josep Maria Bartomeu
The Spanish giants will look to deal with the prospect of their biggest star leaving by making him commit his long-term future to the club.

Barcelona is reportedly readying a lifetime contract for Lionel Messi to sign in his next renewal. The Camp Nou outfit is believed to be taking the step in a bid to prevent the 32-year-old Argentine from leaving the club after next season.

Despite being contracted to Los Blaugrana until 2021, a clause in Messi's current deal which came to light recently indicated that the Barca skipper could decide to find his way out at the end of a season. The only condition tied to it is that the five time Ballon d'Or winner must inform the club of his decision before May.

The revelation sent a wave of panic across the club's fanbase but the president of the Catalan club Josep Maria Bartomeu subsequently told Barca TV that is no cause for concern as Messi's loyalty remains unquestionable. To fully eliminate any cause for concern, Mundo Deportivo has reported that the reigning La Liga champions are preparing a new lifelong deal, or at least, a ten-year contract for the forward.

In an unlikely scenario in which Barcelona fails to tie Messi down for the long-term, Mundo claims that he will not would not leave the club for another European club. Instead, the Argentine international will prefer moving to MLS or making a return to his childhood club Newell's Old Boys ahead of his retirement.