Barcelona plan to extend Lionel Messi's contract until 2022 at least just 18 months after Argentine star signed his last Nou Camp deal

Barcelona plan to extend Lionel Messi's contract until 2022 at least with the Argentine star as central to their trophy ambitions as ever.

Messi, 31, is already contracted to Barcelona until 2021 following his last extension in November 2017 and has a €700million (£604m) release clause.

But, according to Mundo Deportivo, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to offer Messi a fresh deal that would tie him to the Nou Camp until either 2022 or 2023.

Mundo Deportivo report that Lionel Messi is set for another contract extension until 2022

The Argentine is contracted to Barcelona until 2021 but could extend that by a year at least

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu sees Messi's contract as key to his re-election hopes

Messi remains as integral to Barcelona's chances of silverware as ever before, having scored 33 goals and contributed 18 assists in 34 outings across all competitions so far this season.

Overall, he has an astonishing 585 goals in 671 matches for the club since he made his first-team debut in 2004.

Bartomeu, who faces presidential elections again in 2021, said of Messi: 'Leo has a contract until 2021 and we will also do another renovation.

'He is strong and mentally better than ever. He has the ambition to win titles.'

Barcelona are in a very strong position to do just that this season.

They are seven points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in La Liga as they aim to win what would be Messi's 10th league title.

Messi will add a seventh Copa del Rey crown if Barca beat Valencia in the final and they face Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Messi has scored 33 goals and contributed 18 assists in 34 matches so far this season

Messi goes head-to-head with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos during last weekend's Clasico