Jorge Messi arrives in Barcelona on Thursday to step up contract talks

Jorge Messi will arrive in Barcelona on Thursday, weeks earlier than planned. On his agenda there are two priorities: to accompany Barça on their trip to Paris Saint-Germain next week and, of course, to move on Lionel Messi's contract renewal. 

Talks over Messi's new deal are at the stage where things are about to move up a notch. President Josep Maria Bartomeu plans to meet with Jorge, Leo's father and agent, in the coming days with the idea of getting on the same page and closing the deal. 

It will be the first time the two have sat down to talk together about the terms in person. Jorge, who has been in Rosario for the last few weeks, arrives in the Catalan city with the aim of finalising the deal with Bartomeu. He was here in November but there was no meeting because Barça's offer had still not been drawn up. 

Messi's current deal runs until 2018 and renewing it has become one of the club's priorities. 

As revealed by SPORT, Barça have had the offer ready for two weeks and it's in the hands of Bartomeu, as he's already said it's a matter he will personally handle. He knows Messi is not just any player and he wants to do everything to ensure things go well. At the same time, he wants Messi to know Barça will treate him as he deserves to be treated: as the best player in the world. 

Bartomeu knows that the problems with the tax office have created some discomofort and for that reason he wants the offer to avoid any future problems. 

The player's desire is to extend his contract and is aware it's perhaps more important than other renewals because he turns 30 this year. For that reason, he has to think about what he hopes for from the coming years. 

Both parties are keen to seal the agreement, then. The club have made it a priority and Leo believes it would be tough to find a better place than Camp Nou. They're condemned to an understanding.