Lionel Messi sensationally REJECTS Barcelona’s first contract offer as stand-off continues
29-year-old maestro is holding out for an improved offer on his current deal of £362,000 per week which expires in June 2018
LIONEL Messi and Barcelona could become embroiled in a contract dispute after the Argentinian star rejected the club's opening offer of a new deal.
According to AS Barcelona are understood to have offered between £25-30 million net per season but Messi, 29-years-old, is holding out for an improved offer.
Messi's current deal expires in June 2018, and after seeing fellow stars Luis Suarez and Neymar sign new deals recently he is in no rush and will hold out until an offer that he is happy with is made.
Having scored over 500 goals for Barcelona, the Argentinian is well aware of his negotiating power as club president Jose Maria Bartomeu is likely to end up offering terms that suit Messi.
Talks between Messi's father and agent, Jorge, and Barcelona chiefs have been ongoing for months and Bartomeu remains confident that their star man will eventually put pen to paper on a new bumper deal.
Despite the initial rebuff by Messi negotiations are ongoing with Barca chiefs hopeful that common ground will be reached in the next few weeks.