The 58-year-old reportedly plans to address both issues at once by offering Messi, whose contract expires in June, a lifetime contract that would serve to secure the forward's long-term future at the club and ease Barca's wage bill.
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Laporta's idea is to offer Messi a salary cut with the reduction counteracted by his Barcelona contract existing for his lifetime, which is hoped will encourage the squad's other high-earning players to take a wage-cut as well.
This proposed deal would span the remainder of the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's playing career with Barca, and would see him integrated into an undefined role in the structure of the club once he retires.
The report adds that no formal negotiations have been held in this regard but that conversations are expected to get underway in the coming days.
