BARCELONA director Ariedo Braida insists Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta won’t be leaving.
The duo are yet to sign new contracts at the Nou Camp leading to speculation they could be on their way out of the club.
Messi has been linked with a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Iniesta has admitted for the first time in his career he is having to think about committing his future to Barca.
The Spaniard has been linked with a switch to Juventus but Braida insists the midfielder, along with Messi, will be staying.
“Iniesta to Juventus? No. Barca’s players aren’t on the market. Iniesta will stay with us,” Braida told Radio Anch’io Sport.
“Talk of Lionel Messi leaving? I don’t think so.
“Anything can happen in football, but Messi’s a great professional and Barcelona are in his heart. I don’t think he’ll leave.”
Barcelona are also edging closer to completing the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool with reports in Spain claiming owners Fenway Sports Group have agreed to negotiate with the La Liga giants.
But Braida was coy when asked about any developments regarding the Brazilian.
“Coutinho? The market always dishes up surprises,” he added.
“I’ll only say that Barcelona are a great club that try to sign top players.
“We always try to do our best, also because the club have large revenues and a huge fan base.
“Barca must always be at the top, although it’s harder now there are other clubs with huge resources.
“In order to compete with them, our revenue needs to increase.
“All players are overvalued, there are absurd figures being bandied about, but that’s how the market is and it must be accepted.”
Source:www.express.co.uk