Lionel Messi is ready to put pen to paper on a new Barcelona contract.

Gol Journal says Messi has verbally agreed on a pay-rise and is happy to ink terms.

Barca management are buoyant and convinced they could deliver an ideal Christmas present to fans with the announcement of Messi's new deal.

There's confidence that Messi's signing could occur before the New Year.

The Barca star's father and agent, Jorge, flew in from Argentina last week for meetings with directors about a new agreement.