Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta Reportedly to Sign New Contracts 'Soon'

Barcelona technical secretary Roberto Fernandez has said Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta will renew their contracts with the club "soon" in an interview with radio station RAC1 (h/t MailOnline's Harry Slavin).

Fernandez expressed confidence new deals for the key pair are imminent: "Iniesta and Messi will renew soon."

When offering more details, Fernandez hinted discussions are still to take place: "Iniesta has already made a statement saying he will wait for the end of the season. He is an icon worldwide and we have to wait because it is a decision for him. Iniesta is a serious and respected person and if he wants to talk at the end of the season, we will do it."

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Fernandez indicated it is a similar story with Messi, per the interview: "The club will decide when to announce the renewal of Messi. It's in a good spot, but all negotiations have their time."

Of course, there is no doubt both Iniesta and Messi remain vital to Barca's standing as a force in Spain's top flight and in the UEFA Champions League. They are arguably still the two most important members of the squad despite their lengthy careers.

Messi proved as much during Sunday's 3-2 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico. The 29-year-old Argentinian scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, at the Santiago Bernabeu to send the Blaugrana to the top of the table.

In the process, Messi also reached a goalscoring milestone for Barca, per OptaJose:

Yet there have been rumours this season may be Messi's last at in Barcelona. In January, he was linked with a £100 million move to Manchester City, helmed by his former manager Pep Guardiola. In fact, talks were even said to have taken place, per Phil Cadden of The Sun.

However, Barca still need Messi the way the club also still needs Iniesta. The cerebral playmaker's current deal is up in the summer of 2018, but he's been offered terms to stay for two more years, with a possible coaching role involved, per Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express).

Messi and Iniesta are still the foundation for titles at the Camp Nou. Agreeing new deals with both would rate as a major coup for the club.

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