Lionel Messi Expected To Be Handed New Contract At Barcelona  

Lionel Messi is set to have his contract reviewed by Barcelona once the team returns from its pre-season tour of the United States.
Sport believes that the Blaugrana want to make it perfectly clear who their number one star is following the media circus surrounding the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It has already been reported that the Catalan giants refused to grant the Swedish striker the same salary he was previously making at Inter, so that Messi would remain the club’s top earner.
Now, it is believed that Barca want to shift their focus back to the Argentine by offering him an improved contract, even though his current term runs until 2014.
Sources close to the club have revealed that negotiations are already underway but will only pick up steam when the player is back in Catalunya.
It is speculated that his buy-out clause will go from €150 million to €250 million, the same amount as Ibrahimovic, and although there are no predictions as to how much he could be earning, his total income is expected to have a significant jump.
The idea behind this is to make sure that Messi continually feels appreciated by the club and that he remains happy with his conditions.
Barca's technical director, Txiki Begiristain, has already said, “The price of having the world’s best player in your ranks is to upgrade his contract every year.
“It is a significant price, but it is worth it.”
KS Leong, Goal.com