OMNISPORT

Lionel Messi is showing he is unsure about his future by not signing a new Barcelona contract, according to Agusti Benedito.

The Argentina star agreed to a new four-year deal in July but has yet to put pen to paper, despite his current contract having less than a year to run.

Speculation has mounted that Messi could be tempted to leave Barca, with Manchester City reportedly prepared to activate his €300million release clause in order to reunite him with former boss Pep Guardiola.

Barca technical secretary Robert Fernandez has insisted it is a matter of time before Messi signs his extension, but Benedito, a former candidate for the club presidency, believes the 30-year-old has clear doubts around his decision.

"They've been leaving the renewal of Messi, the most important player, until the end... and with it still not signed, it's a concern," Benedito told Onda Cero and Radio Marca.

"Messi's case could be worse than Neymar's because, as things stand, from January 1, he's free.

Brazil international Paulinho was signed for €40m from Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao and Nice's Jean Seri is reportedly close to securing a move, but Benedito believes Barca's recruitment of midfielders underlines a sense of confusion over their transfer plans.

"The feeling given by the board is that they don't know what they're looking for in the market," said Benedito, who began a campaign to lodge a vote of no confidence against the club's directors in June. "There's a bit of disruption. 

"It seems like Seri is coming and with him they'll have about 11 midfielders. We lose Neymar and we sign Paulinho."