Barcelona 'angry with Paris Saint-Germain over Lionel Messi pursuit'

Barcelona have reportedly been left furious with Paris Saint-Germain over their pursuit of wantaway attacker Lionel Messi.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is due to become a free agent in the summer and can open talks with other clubs after entering the final six months of his Camp Nou deal.

PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino and sporting director Leonardo have both talked up the prospect of Messi plying his trade in the French capital - comments that have allegedly left Barcelona seething.

According to Sport, the Catalan giants feel that PSG are attempting to play mind games with Messi, which they feel has broken a code of respect between the two clubs.

The report also claims that Barca believe PSG are trying to gain a psychological advantage ahead of their Champions League last-16 battle, with the first leg set to take place on February 16.

However, Messi's £500k-a-week salary could supposedly be too expensive even for PSG, while Manchester City are regarded as the only other club realistically capable of pulling off a deal.