La Liga giants Barcelona are trying their best to tie down the Brazilian forward to a new contract, as the interest from top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG intensifies.
Barcelona’s vice-president of finance Susana Monje has reiterated the club’s stand amidst speculation about Neymar’s future.“We have not studied the impact of hypothetically losing Neymar. We don’t contemplate it,” she said, according to the National. Neymar is currently in talks over a contract extension as his current deal expires on June 2018.
Earlier on Wednesday, El Mundo Deportivo had reported that PSG have offered to double Neymar’s salary to €30 million a year. Neymar’s father had earlier, while giving evidence in the legal case surrounding Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona, revealed that the superstar had received an offer to leave Nou Camp worth £145.6 million and had later confirmed to Spanish radio station COPE that the offer was by Manchester United.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United have all been linked with the 24-year-old; and now the Spanish outlet is reporting that the three clubs have sent their representatives to Brazil in order to try and sign Neymar.
The report goes on to say that Barcelona wish to tie Neymar down till 2022 and increase the release clause from €190 million to €230 million. The Blaugrana want to announce the renewal of Neymar’s contract before the new season starts on July 1, 2016.
Neymar treading on thin ice with Barca fans
Neymar has completed his third season at the Camp Nou since leaving Santos to join the Azulgrana in 2013. He scored 31 goals in 48 appearances in a successful Barca campaign that included a La Liga title and Copa del Rey. However, he is probably the least popular player among their star attacking trio, probably because of the transfer speculation surrounding the 24-year-old and his refusal to commit his long term future to the club.
Earlier in April, 62% of Barcelona fans were in favour of selling the superstar in an online poll conducted by Catalunya-based daily newspaper SPORT. Contrary to the club hierarchy, Barcelona fans wouldn’t be too upset if the Spanish giants decide to offload the Brazilian. There would be no dearth of bids as the footballing giants of the world will be eager to sign one of the most highly rated footballers around after Messi and Ronaldo.
