Barca to offer Messi pay bump
Baku, October 29, AZERTAC
Barcelona are set to offer Lionel Messi an improved contract, according to reports by the newspaper Sport.
"Barcelona are planning to renew the contract of their star player, Leo Messi. They are in no rush, but they do not want the matter to drag on either", assures the Catalan media outlet.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently under contract until 2018 after signing his last deal in May 2014. That put the Argentine on an annual wage of 20 million euros after tax, plus another five million in add-ons.
"[The last contract renewal] was a demonstration of unconditional support for Leo Messi by Barcelona and a show of solidarity for the problems which he was suffering off the field of play, as well as to put an end to any speculation over his future", explains Sport.
Messi is going through another rough patch after being called to stand trial accused of tax fraud.
"Messi wants to stay at Barcelona and the club wants to make it easier for him by offering him a better contract. The idea is to extend their working relationship so that Leo Messi can see out his career at Barcelona", assures the report.
According to the Barcelona-based newspaper, the club will tackle negotiations on Messi's new contract once it has reached an agreement with another of its big stars, Neymar, who is also seeking improved remuneration.
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