Barcelona transfer news LIVE updates: Perez confirms interest, Messi agrees new deal

BARCELONA are close to securing Lionel Messi's new contract - here is all the latest from the Nou Camp.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi leaves defenders for dead

BARCELONA TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - Follow all the latest updates coming out of the Nou Camp.

Wednesday 5 July

21.55: Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has confirmed Barcelona were in for him last summer.

"I only think of Newcastle, it is true that there was interest in Barca but I am here and we have to keep working," he told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.

"Thank God there was interest from several teams - for a footballer it is important. It was a disappointing year due to the relegation.

"Things did not go as I wanted but there were still some clubs interested that knocked on the door."

14:00: Paris Saint-Germain are ready to pursue a £70million move for Liverpool star, and long-term Barcelona target, Philippe Coutinho.

French publication Le10 Sport claim PSG chiefs have been keen to sign Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Monaco's Kylian Mbappe in recent weeks.

But with Ronaldo now likely to stay in the Spanish capital and Mbappe's future still undecided, they have shifted their focus to Coutinho.

Le10 Sport claim the French club have been in contact with Coutinho's advisers over the prospect of a move.

12:00: So Lionel Messi has signed a new Barcelona contract.

But Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is not too happy about it.

Don Balon claim the Portugal international wants to join Messi on wages of £500,000 a week. 

And he could even leave Real if they fail to cave in to his demands. 

10:50: IT'S OFFICIAL! Lionel Messi has signed a new four-year deal with Barcelona.

Barca released an official statement on their website that read: " FC Barcelona and Leo Messi have agreed on a contract renewal that will keep the Argentinian at the Club until June 30th, 2021.

"The deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training."

Reports suggest the Argentine superstar will pocket £500,000 a week at the Nou Camp.

09:15: Neymar is worried that Lionel Messi could end his Barcelona career.

Diario Gol claim Messi is on the verge of signing a new deal that will consequently see him receive a one-off payment of £44million.

But Neymar is concerned that, in order to free up funds, Barcelona could offload him.

Manchester United and Manchester City are both admirers of the Brazil international. 

08:04: Pep Guardiola has heaped plenty of praise on Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

"He's the best player I've ever seen. The best of him is not what he does, but the ease with which he does it," he told Catalan newspaper L'Esportiu.

"The biggest player is not the one who dribbles [past] three or four opponents, it's just that he does it better than any other player in the world.

"He does everything right. Simple, but all good, he never deceives."

07:52: Lionel Messi has sealed his new contract at Barcelona, which will have a massive £264m release clause.

Spanish sports paper Marca say Messi and Barca have finally come to an agreement with the player renewing his deal until 2021, with a further one-year option.

This means relief across the Nou Camp and they can now focus on their summer signings, having only re-signed Gerard Deulofeu so far.

04:00: Ivan Rakitic has told Barcelona he will leave the club if they sign Marco Verratti this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Verratti is one of Barca’s top targets for new boss Ernesto Valverde.

Bit Spanish website Diario Gol say Rakitic will ask for an exit if the Italy international comes in.

Lionel Messi BarcelonaGETTY

Lionel Messi is set to sign a new contract at Barcelona

00:19: Manchester City have lined up a deal to sign Barcelona youngster Eric Garcia.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed he is set to raid his former club for one of their top young talent.

"I have good reports about him," Guardiola told TV3. "I haven't been lucky enough to see him play for myself yet, but people spoke very highly about him and we had the chance to sign him.

“He wanted to take this step in his career and we gave him the opportunity to do so."

Garcia, 16, could move for a £1.5m fee.

Tuesday July 4

20:10: Neymar's father fears Barcelona will fund Lionel Messi's new contract by offloading his son.

Diario Gol claim the Catalan giants are worrying Neymar because he could be sold to raise money for Messi's new deal.

And the news will no doubt alert Manchester United, who are keen to snap him up.

18:45: Hector Bellerin has told Arsenal he wants to join Barcelona.

That's according to The Sun, who say the youngster informed Arsene Wenger of his desire to leave.

However, Wenger has reportedly rejected his request.

And the Frenchman will do everything in his power to retain the right-back.

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