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New Barcelona president Josep Maria
Bartomeu has insisted Lionel Messi is not for sale and says the club intends to
start negotiations over a new contract with the Argentina star soon.
Messi penned a two-year extension to his
existing deal with Barca last February, which ties him to the club until June
30, 2018, but the Spanish champions are ready to discuss a new contract with the
26-year-old.
Bartomeu, who took over the Barca
presidency on Thursday night following Sandro Rosell's shock resignation, also
warned potential suitors that Messi is not on the market amid reports of
interest from big-spending French side Paris St Germain.
Speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1,
Bartomeu said: 'Messi is not for sale.
'We want to sit down, without any rush,
with his father and his agent because we want to ensure he's the best-paid
player like he deserves.
'It won't be anything imminent because the
players right now are focused on competition.'
Messi made his 400th appearance for Barca
in last week's Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg against Levante and has
scored 331 goals so far for the Catalan giants.
During his time at the Nou Camp, Messi has
won the Ballon d'Or a record four times as well as helping Barca win a host of
trophies, including six Primera Division titles, three Champions Leagues and
two Copa del Reys.
