Barcelona's Lionel Messi talks 'held up by financial fair play issues'

Talks over a new deal for Lionel Messi at Barcelona are being held up over financial fair play issues and other monetary concerns, according to a report.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner officially became a free agent earlier this week as his Barca deal expired on July 1, although the Catalans are said to be confident of tying him down to a new contract.

Messi is thought to be closing in on another two-year stay at Camp Nou, but the Argentine's extortionate wages coupled with Barca's financial difficulties are supposedly proving problematic.

According to Marca, Messi will already have to take a pay cut to remain with the Catalan giants, but the South American wants guarantees that his payments will be honoured even in the event of further disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The report adds that Messi's advisors are still waiting to see if the wages he is owed from last season will be included in the new deal, while tax problems could also present themselves if he completes an expected move to an MLS club in 2023.

Messi has technically left Barcelona having scored 672 goals in 778 games, and he has already netted three times for Argentina at this year's Copa America.