Reports in Spain understand that Barcelona are intent on opening contract renewal negotiations with Lionel Messi.
The Argentine, who last season became the club’s all-time top goalscorer and only the second footballer in history to win three consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, currently has a deal with the Catalans until June 2016.
However, Mundo Deportivo are running the line that the club are keen to once again improve the 25-year-old’s earnings, even if at this stage there is understood to be no specific date set by which time a new deal is signed.
Since Messi’s last renewal with the club, signed with then-President Joan Laporta in September 2009, the tax rate for high earners in Spain has risen to 56 per cent.
Since his first professional contract in June 2005, Messi has signed a further four renewals at Barcelona, with his current deal understood to pay €10.5m per season and carry a buy-out clause of €250m.
