La Liga chief pours doubt over new Lionel Messi deal at Barcelona

La Liga chief Javier Tebas has suggested that Barcelona may struggle to retain the services of Lionel Messi this summer.

While the Argentine's contract is due to expire at the end of this month, president Joan Laporta has spoken optimistically about extending the legendary forward's stay at Camp Nou.

However, Barcelona, who have already made several new additions, are under mounting pressure to reduce their outgoings over the coming months.

Tebas has revealed that Messi remaining with his current club is not a foregone conclusion, highlighting that the Catalan giants must meet certain criteria.

Quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Tebas said: "Barcelona have exceeded their wage cap. I hope they can keep Messi, but to do so, they will have to make cuts elsewhere."

Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho are among the players who have allegedly been put up for sale.