A former agent of Lionel Messi believes delays over the signing of his new Barcelona deal was due to rival offers.
Yesterday morning, Messi ended all speculation about his future by penning a new contract to 2021.
The deal includes a pay-rise and the man who brought Messi to Europe believes Barca were forced to up their terms due to competition from elsewhere.
Josep Maria Minguella opined to Telefoot: "In this time between June and today, some French or English clubs, and I think that's what really happened, have approached Lionel Messi to offer him an astronomical amount of money.
"The left Barça in a bind. And that must have created a certain tension that had to be solved by the club."
Source: tribalfootball.com