Barcelona bigwig 'very positive' over new deals for Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez is hopeful Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta will sign new deals at the Nou Camp in the near future. The club chief says he is "very positive" over both renewals – while adding that negotiations with the Argentina international are in a "good spot".

Neymar, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Ivan Rakitic have all put pen to paper on new deals at Barcelona in recent months.

However, Messi and Iniesta are yet to follow the same path, despite their current contracts being set to expire at the end of next season.

The situation of the five-time Ballon d'Or is particularly complicated as the 29-year-old could be tempted with a big salary to make a move somewhere else as a free-agent in the summer of 2018.

Messi has enjoyed another impressive campaign at Barcelona, scoring 47 goals in 46 appearances, including two in the recent El Clasico to lead his side to a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid.

Meanwhile Iniesta, 32, recently claimed he will not make a decision on his future at Barcelona until the end of the season amid suggestions he could decide to hang his boots once his current contract expires.

However, the Barcelona technical secretary has now played down fan's fears after saying he is "very positive" over the renewals for both key players.

"I think they will renew soon. I hope they do, both of them. Andres has already said that he will wait for the end of the season. He is an icon worldwide and we have to wait because it is a personal decision. But we want him to sign a new deal and continue here for many years. He is a serious and respected person and if he wants to talk at the end of the season, we will respect that," Fernandez said to RAC1.

"The club will decide when to announce the renewal of Messi. It's in a good spot. Don't worry, but negotiations are not quick, they have their time. I am very positive about both renewals."

In this sense, Cadena Cope reported on Tuesday night (24 April) that the renewal of Messi is closer than ever. The player's father arrived to Barcelona last week to meet with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the radio station says that the first talks were so productive that the new deal is a matter of time.