Barcelona not considering selling Neymar

Barcelona, June 22 (IANS) Barcelona are not considering the sale of Brazilian forward Neymar this summer, despite the interest shown by some clubs in signing him, which would bring the Catalan football giants 190 million euros ($213.8 million), which is the buy-out clause in his contract.

The vice president of economics at Barcelona, Susana Monje, stressed on Tuesday that the Catalan team does not intend to sell Neymar, while a club source has indicated to Efe that Barcelona are not willing to raise the Brazilian's contract more than 15 million euros ($16.8 million) net per season.

This is the offer they have for Neymar on the table and his father who has not yet responded, while in recent days the media have expressed doubts the player would accept that amount, reports Efe.

The Barcelona source said that now is the time when Neymar "must step forward," as he will never be paid more than Messi while Argentine remains a Barcelona player.

Barcelona understand that a number of European clubs with large resources want to sign Neymar, but the club will not yield even a centimetre in negotiating the exit clause, which is set at 190 million euros.

The 24-year-old joined Barcelona from childhood club Santos in 2013.

--IANS

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