Lionel Messi contract 'will cost Barcelona £492m'

Lionel Messi's existing contract at Barcelona will reportedly end up costing the club a staggering £492m before it expires in the summer.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is expected to end his tenure with the Catalan giants this summer after trying but failing to force a move away last year over a release clause dispute.

The coronavirus pandemic has already left a huge hole in Barcelona's pocket, and Ronald Koeman's cash-strapped side could supposedly see their financial crisis worsened due to the stipulations of Messi's contract.

A supposed leaked image of Messi's deal published by El Mundo shows that the Catalan giants will have forked out a whopping €555million (£492m) over the duration of his four-year contract, which the publication claims will "ruin" Barcelona.

As well as image rights, variables and tax, the report adds that the £492m figure includes £122m for Messi's salary, a £102m renewal fee for penning a new deal in 2017, and a £69m loyalty bonus for committing his future to the club.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be the only two clubs financially capable of signing Messi, although the 33-year-old could supposedly prove too expensive even for the French champions.