Luis Suarez set for new Barcelona deal while Lionel Messi's father 'arrives in Spain' for talks

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed Luis Suarez is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal before Christmas. The club chief also talked up the long-term future of Lionel Messi following reports the Argentine star's father had arrived in Spain to discuss terms on a new agreement.

Neymar, Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano have all inked new deals in recent months, with Barcelona publicly admitting their intentions to have Suarez, Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic following in their footsteps in the near future.

Suarez still has a contract at the reigning La Liga champions until the summer of 2019, but is said to be in line for a lucrative pay rise following his contributions to Luis Enrique's side. He has already scored 12 this season, including one in the recent El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Luis Suarez revealed last month that negotiations for a new deal were "on the right track". Bartomeu has now suggested there are only minor details to be ironed out.

"We're about to close Suarez's renewal," the Barcelona president said in an interview with Radio Visión and Cadena Celeste in Uruguay, as quoted by AS. "But Luis will continue at Barcelona. There are just a few final details [to complete]. He's well-loved by everyone and he loves the club."

"In the coming days, weeks, we will announce it, maybe it will be a great Christmas present. They know that he's really important character, that he's part of this spectacular trident that we have at the club, that he helps the team. The objective is that [he stays] until at least the [2022] World Cup in Qatar. Our sporting projects are based around World Cups."

Another new deal for Messi is expected to become the next priority once Suarez puts pen to paper.

The long-term future of the Ballon d'Or winner at the Nou Camp has been under scrutiny in recent times after Marca reported Messi turned down an approach from Barcelona to renew his contract in the summer, adding that Manchester City would be his preferred destination were he to leave.

However, other Spanish media sources, citing the player's entourage, denied those claims, adding that the Messi's father and agent had not been in Barcelona to even discuss any possible move.

Radio Station show El Transistor reported on Thursday night that Messi's father has landed in Barcelona in order to finally start the talks with the club.

And Bartomeu has claimed that Barcelona's intentions are for the 29-year-old to hang his boots up at the Nou Camp.

"We would like Messi to stay here for life and end his sporting career here," Bartomeu added in the same interview with the Uruguayan media. "He is the most important player in the history of the club, without doubt. He's surpassed [Laszlo] Kubala, [Johan] Cruyff, Romario, [Diego] Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo. There's no-one like Messi.

"He is helping construct a great Barca, a universal Barca that spreads to all four corners of the planet, although there's no-one person bigger than the club."