Barcelona are preparing a lifetime contract offer to Lionel Messi.

Messi allegedly agreed upon a new deal in July but he's yet to officially sign the contract.

"Messi signed a four-year deal in June, but the club will offer him a lifetime contract," Barcelona CEO Oscar Grau said at Barca's annual general meeting on Saturday. "The idea is for Leo, who has been here since he was little, to stay here for life because he is an icon. After his playing days we want him to continue to be linked to the club."

Messi's deal expires in 2018.

Messi joined Barcelona at the age of 13.