BARCELONA legend Xavi claims Lionel Messi will sign a new deal despite talks stalling.
Chief executive Oscar Grau claimed a new deal would put Barca under pressure financially – alerting the likes of Manchester City.
But with Pep Guardiola lining up a world record £100million bid, Xavi is adamant his former team-mate is going nowhere.
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He told Fox Sports: “There’s always a lot of noise in the media when it comes to Messi.
“He’s the best player in the world and people always want to write about him, but often the noise is false, it’s not true, and I’m sure that’s the case at the moment.
“I don’t have any doubts that Messi will renew with Barcelona, no doubts.
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“Throughout the years there’s no doubt he would have had chances to make more money with huge offers from the clubs with rich owners, but his heart is with Barca.
“His relationship with Barca is idyllic and I think it will continue for many more years yet.”
Messi is awaiting a new contract offer before he makes any decision on his future at the Nou Camp.
Last week Grau said: “Barcelona has to analyse this situation with a cold head and common sense. Barca can’t exceed 70 per cent of its budget on wages and therefore we have to make the numbers add up.”
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