Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has refused to believe speculation suggesting Lionel Messi will soon sign a new contract at the club despite reports the player's father is in negotiations. Elsewhere,Dayot Upamecano is said to have rejected Arsenal in order to push through a move to Camp Nou.TheMirror's Rik Sharma reported Jorge Messi flew into Catalonia to begin talks over a new deal that could run until the summer of 2022, but Enrique told reporters on Friday he's not counting his chickens in regards to an extension just yet.Per Marca's Xavi Hernandez, Enrique said: "It reassures me and I welcome the start of negotiations for his renewal. He will join other players who will renew, and when it is announced, if it is announced, we will have to celebrate all of them.But for the moment I dare not make any prediction."Messi's is arguably the most valuable signature in world football, but doubt has emerged over his Barca future as he enters the final 18 months of his current deal. OptaJoe recently provided some evidence as to why his employers might be so keen to ensure he stays in Catalonia:His extension may seem like a predetermined conclusion for some, but Luis FRojo ofMarca pointed out some of the uncertainty comes due to the fact Barca may struggle to afford an upgrade on his 22 million (18.5 million)-per-year wages.The same question goes to any potential suitors who might be interested in the player, as ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson recently noted even mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain would struggle to accommodate a deal:The extension comes during an expensive period in terms of contract signings, too, with Luis Suarez set to sign a new deal, according to BBC Sport, less than two months after fellow MSN member Neymar penned a fresh five-year agreement.Money talks in the football world, however. Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney recently commented on a report from Spanish dailyEl Mundo(h/tSport) that an unnamed club even offered Messi 100 million (84 million) just to reject new terms at Barca and see out his current deal:It's wise of Enrique not to bank on his star man extending his 15-year stay at Camp Nou just yet, although it's hard to imagine the former Newell's Old Boys youngster representing any other European power.At 29 years of age and with just over 18 months left on his current contract, Messi and his entourage are in a supreme position of power, and tension is building ahead of what could be his last deal with his Spanish employers.Meanwhile, the Blaugrana look to be the favourites to land Red Bull Salzburg defenderUpamecano afterSport reported the 18-year-old has rebuffed Arsenal's interest in order to keep alive his chances of a move to Barcelona.Upamecanois said to already be subject of interest from Camp Nou, and with his contract in Austria ready to expire in 2018, it appears Barca need only make good on said interest to bring in the centre-back.
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