Lionel Messi rejected offer to become world's highest paid player to pen a new deal with Barca

Barcelona star forward Lionel Messi rejected an offer of a €100 million signing bonus from EPL pacesetters Manchester City to ink a new contract with the Spanish giants until 2021.

The new contract signed last month ended earlier speculations that the Argentine striker was eyeing an exit from Barcelona.

But according to recent media reports, the new contract at Barcelona was followed by a mouthwatering offer to bring Messi to the Etihad.

Marca indicated that Manchester City offered Messi offered Messi a staggering £850,000-a-week deal to move to the Premier League side.

The outlet further asserted that the 30-year old's representatives were already in touch with City without the knowledge of Barcelona.

Ultimately, the forward resolved that it was not in his best interest to move away from his boy-hood club, extending his contract.