Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed that the club are in "discussions" with Lionel Messi over a contract extension.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could leave the French giants on a free transfer at the end of the season, having entered the final six months of his contract.
Messi's deal does include the option to extend for an additional 12 months, but president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is keen to tie him down to fresh terms.
A report from January 3 stated that confirmation of the attacker's new deal could have been mere days away, but he is yet to reach a full agreement with PSG.
Amid the current uncertainty surrounding his future, Messi has been linked with a sensational return to Barcelona, having been forced to leave the Catalan giants in 2021 due to their financial problems.
A move to MLS side Inter Miami has also been mooted for the 35-year-old, but Galtier believes that the attacker is happy in Paris, although he is unsure how advanced talks over a new contract are.
Speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday's Ligue 1 tie with Angers, Galtier said: "There are discussions, the sports management has exchanged with Leo on the subject of an extension. I do not know where it is.
"Leo seems happy to me in Paris. Afterwards, you have to see his position in relation to the project of the club. It's a subject I don't discuss with him."
Messi has registered 23 goals and 29 assists in 53 outings for the French champions over the past one-and-a-half seasons, including 12 strikes and 14 assists in 19 games in the 2022-23 campaign.
After achieving his lifelong goal of becoming World Cup champion with Argentina, Messi returned to PSG's training base on Wednesday to a guard of honour from his teammates.
The ex-Barcelona man missed Les Parisiens' 3-1 defeat to Lens on New Year's Day, but he is set to return to the first XI for the visit of basement side Angers to the Parc des Princes.
Despite Galtier's comments, Inter Miami manager Phil Neville is still holding out hope of bringing Messi to MLS, telling reporters on Monday: "We want to bring the best players in the world to this club and he is probably the best player, so for us the landscape has not changed at all. With any deal for any DP (Designated Player) of that level, it's complicated. It takes time."
Inter Miami captain Gregore also talked up the possibility of playing alongside Messi in the United States, adding: "Why not? I believe it could happen.
"Players around the world view MLS as a great league. If Messi comes, I would be happy because I like to play with the best and learn from them."
PSG welcome Angers to the Parc des Princes sitting four points clear of Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table, having taken 44 points from their opening 17 matches this season. body check tags ::
