Lionel Messi is expected to return to Barcelona 'to finalise a £250,000-a-week five-year contract,' with the Argentine star set to FINALLY sign a contract with a 50% wage drop.

Lionel Messi is said to have returned to Barcelona in order to sign a new deal with the club.

The Argentine's contract expired in June, and he has been on vacation since leading his country to Copa America triumph.

According to SPORT, Barcelona's leadership was convinced that its star player would agree to new terms this summer, and he's already back in Spain, ready to sign a new contract in the coming weeks.

Messi was earning £500,000 per week before agreeing to take a 50% wage cut in order to extend his contract at the Nou Camp for another five years.

Barcelona is cash-strapped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and needs to balance its accounts.

To stay within LaLiga's stringent pay restriction, the Catalan giants must reduce their wage cost.

During the club's official unveiling of new recruit Memphis Depay last week, Barca president Joan Laporta insisted that talks were progressing.

'The player has always stated his desire to remain with the club, and negotiations are progressing well,' he told the club's official website.

(Rafael) Yuste and (Mateu) Alemany are putting forth a lot of effort. All of us want Messi to stay at Barcelona. To play with such fantastic footballers as Depay for a long time.

'We are extremely pleased with both parties' attitudes, which are critical in a situation like this.' Leo is now on vacation, but he has a team of people working to find him a contract that works for everyone.'

Barcelona has also added Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, and Emerson Royal during the summer transfer season, in addition to Depay.