Lionel Messi rejects Barcelona's opening contract offer ahead of Villarreal clash

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has reportedly rejected club's opening contract offer, understood to be between 30-35 million Euro per season. Messi's current deal is due to expire in June 2018 at the end of the season. Negotiations between the club and Messi's father and agent has been ongoing for months. 

There are reports that despite the rejection there are reassuring 'signals' over a new deal. Negotiations are very much still ongoing and there is an expectation that the two parties will find common ground eventually to seal a new deal.

Messi expects to receive an improved offer from Barcelona and is prepared to hold out - especially given the recent contracts given to team-mates Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Barcelona are currently level on points with rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, and the capital side also have a game in hand. They face Villarreal at home on Saturday. 

Messi has been in the eye of the storm recently due to a four-match ban during the World Cup qualifiers while he was on his Argentina duty. 
The FIFA lifted the ban on Thursday paving way for the forward to feature in the national colours.

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