Lionel Messi has reportedly returned to Barcelona, with the Argentine preparing to pen a new five-year contract at Camp Nou worth in the region of £250,000 a week.

The 34-year-old's previous deal with the Catalan giants has expired, meaning that, as it stands, he is a free agent, just over two weeks before the start of the 2021-22 La Liga campaign.

Messi has been on holiday since helping Argentina win the Copa America earlier this month, but according to Sport, the experienced attacker returned to Barcelona on Wednesday.

The report claims that the South American has agreed a new five-year deal with Ronald Koeman's side worth £250,000 a week, which represents a 50% pay cut amid the club's financial issues.

Messi will allegedly put pen to paper within the next week, which will bring an end to a difficult period for Barcelona, who have been battling to convince the attacker to extend his stay at Camp Nou.

The 10-time La Liga winner has scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for his current side in all competitions, including 38 goals in 47 outings during the 2020-21 campaign. body check tags ::