Reports: Barcelona to offer Neymar new 5-year contract
FC Barcelona are willing to offer Neymar a new improved contract that will tie the Brazilian to the Nou Camp until 2020, reports Dailymail.
The mercurial forward, who joined the Spanish giants back in 2013 from Santos, has been in the transfer speculation headlines recently after Manchester United reportedly have shown interest in the 23-year-old. But the club officials have no intention to sell Neymar and it is said that they are to sit down with the Brazilian’s representatives in order to discuss a lucrative 5-year-deal which will extend his buyout clause to £182m.
There has been growing interest from United over the past week and it has been suggested that Red Devils Chairman Ed Woodward is willing to make a world record bid that would tempt him to leave Spain for the Premier League. However, Barcelona won't entertain any enquiries as they plan to make Neymar their second best player after Lionel Messi.
Three years left in Neymar’s current contract
Talks of a new contract for the 2014 World Cup star have been planned last season itself by president Josep Bartomeu. Former president Sandro Rosell had promised a contract renewal for Neymar in 2016. However, after Rosell was forced to step down following the transfer controversy involving the Brazilian, his successor is bent on fulfilling that promise early on amidst United’s interest.
Neymar’s current deal with the La Liga outfit expires in 2018 and he has been earning £6.4m per season according to his contract. But Barcelona are stuck in court over the transfer controversy where the club has been accused of gaining profits from his earnings while avoiding income tax.
Barcelona secured their second treble in the 2014/15 season and became the only club to achieve this historic feat. And Neymar was one of the vital reasons behind their successful campaign as the Brazilian bagged 39 goals across all competitions last season.
Alongside Messi and Luis Suarez (MSN) the formidable trio shared 122 goals between them which helped Barca to win the La Liga, Champions League and the Copa Del Rey.
Neymar missed Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao due to mumps but he is back in full training with the squad as he is expected to start at the Nou Camp against Malaga.
However, with two weeks of international breaks after this weekend, coach Luis Enrique may decide to rest him which would give him two more weeks to recover.