The five contract renewals Barcelona are aiming for in 2017

Without rush, but without dallying, that’s how FC Barcelona are working to tie down the squad and staff that keep bringing happiness to their fans and guaranteeing titles.

In the last four months the club sealed contracts extensions for Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, Neymar and Luis Suarez. Mascherano until 2019, the other three up to 2021. 

This was the first phase in the strategic plan, with the club currently working on the second. President Josep Maria Bartomeu, sporting director Robert Fernandez and the director of professional sports, Albert Soler, are now taking that on with heart and soul.

The five renewals they are looking at are Luis Enrique, Leo Messi, Andres Iniesta, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic. All have their own challenges and some are more advanced than others.

For example, with the German stopper the deal is total and could be the first one announced in 2017. Similar for Rakitic. There will be no problem with those two. 

The circumstance is different for Lucho, who does not want to discuss anything until later, even though his deal runs out in June and because of that, is the most worrying.

Messi and Iniesta deserve special treatment. Barcelona are working to offer the best player in football history the contract that matches his market value and merits. And Iniesta, too. The idea is they offer him the same they gave to Xavi, that he can keep playing until he wants, and when he finishes, he can stay linked with the club. A contract for life.