Chelsea ace Cesc Fabregas says he's unsure if Lionel Messi will put pen to paper on his new Barcelona contract.

Cesc admits he's close to his former Barca teammate, but concedes he has no idea if Messi will sign his contract, despite the claims coming from Barca.

He told Marca: "I have a great friendship with him. I see him as a friend, like a normal boy.

"I had the luck and the pride of being able to play with him when we were kids, like now. When I am with him, he is like one more, as a friend. It's normal, very familiar."

Asked if Messi will renew his deal, Cesc added: "I do not know, I hope so. It is he who has to answer. I have always said that there is no better house for Leo than Barcelona."