Barcelona have reportedly started to plan a new contract for forward Lionel Messi.

The 31-year-old linked up with Barcelona in 2001 and has gone to become one of the greatest players in the history of football, with 563 goals being scored in 648 appearances in all competitions.

Messi only penned an improved deal at Camp Nou last year, but according to Mundo Deportivo, the club's hierarchy have already started to discuss fresh terms for the playmaker.

The report claims that there is a desire to add an extra year to Messi's contract, which would lead to the striker being tied down to the Catalan giants until 2022.

However, it has been suggested that no new deal would be penned until the 2019-20 campaign at the earliest, leaving the Argentine free to focus on trying to help Barcelona retain their La Liga title.