Barcelona president Joan Laporta has walked back claims this week of re-signing Lionel Messi from PSG.

Laporta stressed that the club are not willing to generate expectations about a possible return next summer.

Messi's contract with PSG runs until the end of the season and, according to reports, the two parties are close to clinching a renewal deal.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona president made clear that the club will not use financial levers to sign new players in the future.

"Yesterday we had a meeting with the media," Laporta told Barcelona's official media.

"We had conversations in a relaxed tone. It is obvious that I would like him to return one day. I would love to, but we can't raise expectations.

"He is a PSG player and has a contract with them. He has just won the World Cup. We are very happy for him.

"What I do not want is to generate expectations that is very difficult [to fulfil].

"The levers were made to save the club because it was in a very complicated situation.

"Now LaLiga has established limits to the levers. It would be possible to do one of these operations, but it wouldn't be to sign a player.

"For us, he is the best of all time. We have had him here and he has become a player here.

"I am convinced that he, in his heart, is a Barcelona fan and will always be linked to Barcelona.

"We would very much like him to come back, but we'll see."