Lionel Messi's talks over a contract extension with Catalan's giant Barcelona have come to a positive conclusion. The Argentine star dreams of finishing his successful career with the Blaugrana after reportedly agreeing to a new contract extension deal. According to The Sun, in England, Spain forward Diego Costa has claimed he was told by manager Antonio Conte that he is no longer needed at Chelsea FC next season, with the forward admitting he'll have to find his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer.
Conte confirms his exit from Chelsea
Diego Costa has been linked with a possible move to Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian following the collapse of his purported return to La Liga side Atletico Madrid due to a FIFA transfer ban on the club.
However, with Chelsea FC keen in a move for Everton FC's forward Romelu Lukaku, the Spaniard revealed after the Spanish national team's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday evening, that Antonio Conte amazingly sent him a text message earlier this week to inform him that he is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge next season.
The 28-year-old Spaniard has already expressed his unwillingness to move to China this summer, although, it remains “unclear” whether Costa has other offers in Europe. Meanwhile, teammate and Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi, has also made it clear that he'll not tolerate another year as a “bit part player” at Stamford Bridge as he aims for a place in the Belgium national team at next year's World Cup in Russia.
Messi commits future with Barcelona
Lionel Messi's future has been widely speculated with his contract expiring next summer. However, reports earlier this week suggested that the 29-year old had agreed to a new deal with the club which will see him through the summer of 2022. In an interview with reporters, Messi said he wanted to finish up his career at Barcelona, the club he joined as a 13-year-old schoolboy from Argentina.
He said “it is what I always wished and dreamed about. I would love to finish up my career at Barca.”
The 29-year-old Argentine has enjoyed massive club success at Camp Nou, winning a total of four Champions League titles and eight La Liga crowns. Arguably, Lionel Messi has immensely developed into the world's greatest-ever player at Barcelona, winning the Ballon d'Or award a whopping record of five times, one more than Real Madrid and Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
