Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa has claimed that Lionel Messi would have to accept a pay cut in order to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants.
Messi's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and it is widely thought that the Argentine, who attempted to leave in the recent transfer window, will move on at the end of the season.
Manchester City are thought to be the favourites for the 33-year-old, who has only scored once in six league appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.
There is still a chance that Messi could pen a new deal with Barca, but Freixa has warned the South American that he would have to take a pay cut due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
"With Leo we will speak calmly, face-to-face with Barcelona's best at the horizon," Freixa told El Curubito. "To him, as to all the players who have to renew or sign, we will make an offer that, of course, will not be feasible to match the terms that he has had until now.
"It's evident, and the members cannot be deceived, that the proposal that will be presented to him will not be the same as the one he has had until now, because income has fallen significantly and it will be necessary to find another formula.
"You don't have to conquer Messi or convince him with other things. You have to look him in the eye and talk with him to know what each party wants, what he wants and what Barcelona want. We think Messi still has a lot of football left to play."
Messi is yet to score from open play for Barca this season, with all four of his goals coming from the penalty spot.
Matt Law
