Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi has reportedly turned down Barca’s opening offer of a contract renewal worth between €30m-35m a year.
The Argentine’s current deal expires next summer, and while there been news of delays in getting a new agreement sorted, this is the first time that Messi has pushed a deal way.
According to Spanish publication AS, it claimed that talks between the La Liga giants and Messi’s father, Jorge, have been continuing for months and ultimately it resulted in this offer being put on the table.
However, that initial deal has been rejected and so it will now be down to Barcelona to return with an improved offer to try and entice him to commit his long-term future to the club.
Even though this could be more than enough reason to spark serious concern and panic for fans, it’s added in the report that there is no such feeling within the Barca camp as the club president Josep Bartomeu is still confident that a deal will get done.
Furthermore, negotiations are still alive and it’s expected that the two sides will come to conclusion in the coming weeks with the Argentine expecting an improved offer and is in no rush to get something in pace as he waits for the best possible contract from Barcelona.
While it will still be a worry the longer it goes on, what isn’t in doubt is the 29-year-old’s form this season as he’s been exceptional yet again with 49 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.
Combined with the fact that Barcelona will have a new coach next season, getting Messi to commit his future and continue to be a leading figure for the next man in charge will be of major importance to the reigning La Liga champions.