Inter Miami owner "optimistic" Messi will join Beckham's MLS revolution

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is confident Lionel Messi will join his side after talks involving David Beckham and the Barcelona forward over a switch to the MLS.

Messi is out of contract at the end of the month and has previously talked up a move to America as the curtain gradually comes down on his legendary career.

There have been claims the Argentine - who turns 34 in two weeks' time - has agreed to a new Barcelona contract which will keep him at Camp Nou until 2023.

But no such deal has been officially announced, meaning speculation over Messi's future continues to rage.

Inter Miami have been linked with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner for some months, and Mas even went so far as to claim he is "optimistic" over signing Messi.

The 58-year-old says he has been "working really hard" alongside club co-owner and England legend Beckham to strike a deal with Messi's representatives.

"David and I have been working really hard, we have aspirations of bringing the best players here and Leo Messi is a generational player, arguably the best player of all time," Mas told the Miami Herald.

"I am optimistic Messi will play in an Inter Miami shirt because I think it will complete the legacy of the greatest player in our generation and will meet with the ambitions of the owners of Inter Miami to build a world-class team."

Messi, for his part, appeared to be keen on moving to the MLS during an interview with La Sexta late last year.

He said: "I always said that I have the impression that I would like to enjoy the experience of living in the United States, of living in that league and that life.

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"But if it happens or not I don't know."

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta maintains negotiations with Messi over a new contract are progressing, though there are still details to be resolved.

Laporta was elected by club members earlier this year on a mandate of convincing Messi to stay at the club after he came close to leaving the previous summer.

"Messi's new contract is going well, but it has not been done," said Laporta. "We must continue working with all the executives involved. We will make a proposal that sits within the possibilities of the club.

"The relationship is good. We are preparing whatever is necessary within the possibilities of the club for Leo to continue."

Laporta added: "We have made an offer within the possibilities of Barca.

"Leo surely deserves much more and can achieve more. But, because of his desire to make Barca great, I think he is appreciating the effort being made and I think he is very excited to continue.

"It is not a question of money, it is a team project with the possibility of winning everything. We have moderate optimism."