Koeman ‘concerned’ about Messi’s Barcelona future

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admits he is concerned about Lionel Messi’s future with the captain currently a free agent after his contract at the club expired.

The 34-year-old is expected to stay but Barca must slash the wage bill in order to make it happen which will not be an easy task, particularly in the current financial climate.

Koeman says he is worried about Messi but is confident that president Joan Laporta can resolve all the issues and ensure the Argentina international stays.

“When everything is not right, you have to be concerned, I have confidence in the president to solve this issue,” he said.

“It is important for the club and for the league that the best player in the world remains. Everyone has to make an effort here.

“Laporta told me to be calm, that they are working on the issue and we are confident that he will be there for a few more years.”

The Barca boss also said he’s keen for the squad to be confirmed ahead of the new campaign with pre-season due to start next week.

“It is important to know which players you are going to have, we know there is a limit, we are in the preseason and work is being done, but we already know that it’s like this until the end and we are used to it,” he said.

Source | Mundo Deportivo

Carles Alena is expected to be the next player to leave Barcelona. The midfielder is expected to seal a permanent move to Getafe. Yet the club still need to offload a few of the top earners to make the cuts needed to renew Messi.