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Lionel Messi to use Chelsea and Man City interest to push for improved deal at Barcelona
LIONEL MESSI is getting ready to use interest from Chelsea and Manchester City to push for an improved contract at Barcelona.
Reports in Spain suggest that Messi has approached Barca president Sandro Rosell about improved terms.
It comes only days after Messi - who is currently out injured - reiterated his commitment to the Catalan club, saying: "I want to stay at Barcelona. It is my home and where I want to be."
However, according to AS, the club will need to fork out to keep the Argentine forward happy.
Indeed, Messi is thought to want approximately £175,000-a-week after tax to remain at the Camp Nou.
There seems to be little doubt that Barca will try to accommodate their star player and will add the negotiations to the list of players that need their contracts renewed, which includes Andres Iniesta, Liverpool target Martin Montoya and Marc Bartra.
But there remains a possibility, however small, that Barcelona call Messi's bluff and refuse to meet his demands.
And that would reopen the door for a move away from Spain, with Chelsea and Manchester City - along with both Monaco and Anzhi Makhachkala - both ready to take advantage.
Reports in Spain suggest that all four were willing to pay at least £100m to sign Messi but that still falls substantially short of the player's £210m buy-out clause.