Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

No 'Lionel Messi clause' in new Barcelona sponsorship deal - Arroyo

Barcelona have denied that their new four-year, €220 million sponsorship deal with Rakuten contains a "Lionel Messi clause" and hinges on him staying at the club.

Vice president Manel Arroyo said that was not the case and reiterated the club's expectation that the Argentina forward will end his career at the Camp Nou.

"What is certain is that no 'Messi clause' exists," Arroyo said.

"Leo wants to end his sporting career with Barca, as he's repeated on many occasions. We can't even think about letting him leave -- and we are working for that to be the case."

Arroyo's comments came after president Josep Maria Bartomeu expressed his belief that Messi would commit his future to the club beyond 2018, when his deal expires.

"We're all convinced, we're all positive," Bartomeu said at the presentation of the Rakuten sponsorship deal.

"All the members of Barca believe this is how it has to be, because he is the player that in the last few years has brought us sporting success."

Earlier this week, Marca reported that Messi had turned down the chance to renew his contract in the summer.

A club source told ESPN FC on Tuesday that the Blaugrana remain confident that he will extend his contract.

However, reports in England are still speculating that Messi could move to the Premier League, with a source at Manchester United telling The Sun they had accepted defeat to rivals Manchester City in any chase for the player.

Messi returned to Barca on Wednesday after representing Argentina in World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia.

He was back in training on Thursday and should start against Malaga on Saturday.

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