Barcelona to offer Messi new deal

Messi would become the best paid player at Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona are working on a new contract for star man Lionel Messi, according to reports in Spain and Italy.

Both El Mundo Deportivo and Gazzetta dello Sport have suggested the Catalan club are to offer the 22-year-old 9.5million euros per year in an attempt to secure his long-term future.

Barca are also keen to raise the buyout figure in Messi's deal, which currently stands at 150million euros, to 300million euros.

The mooted new deal would see Messi overtake recent signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the best paid player at the Nou Camp.

The Argentina international has spent his entire career at Barcelona having come through the club's youth system.

He made his debut in 2004 at the age of 17 and has gone on to score 54 goals in 109 league appearances.

After starring in Barca's successful Champions League campaign last term he is widely viewed as the favourite for the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year awards.