Barcelona head coach hopes to see the future of Lionel Messi resolved as soon as possible as he looks to make amends for an underwhelming 2020/21 season.
Despite financial constraints, the club see keeping their biggest earner as the priority, despite the expiry of his contract and clubs including Manchester City and PSG being interested in signing him.
Koeman is counting on Messi being at the Nou Camp next campaign as he seeks to bring silverware back to the club following a trophy-less year.
“It’s really important,” he told club media. “We saw that last season, he had a difficult start in the beginning but he showed once again that he is the best in the world.
“Messi is the captain and an example. He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win the Copa América and he has done it at last. Messi is the prime candidate for the Balon d’Or after a great season and he is the favourite.”
On dipping into the transfer market again this summer, Koeman added: “Up to this point, we’ve made good signings this summer. We’ve brought in players such as Memphis Depay for free, Sergio Aguero for free and Eric Garcia also for free. If there is money, we will look at who else we can bring in.
“We expect a lot. We still don’t know at the moment what the team will be because of the financial situation of the club.
“We try to have the best squad possible but we are a big club, we are Barcelona and always the expectations are really high and we like that. We have the qualities for that to have a very good season again and win trophies for this season.”
