Report: Neymar signs new 5-year deal with Barcelona
Barcelona have secured Neymar’s future at the club after he has signed a new five-year contract according to ESPN Brazil. The Brazilian has been the subject of several transfer rumours throughout the season but those rumours will now be put to rest if reports are true.
The 24-year-old has been in brilliant form in the last two years or so and has formed the deadliest attacking trio in the world with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona. The Brazilians current deal was until 2018 but the extension means he is will now be tied down at the club until 2021.
The Brazilian outlet have reported that the contract was signed in December while Barcelona were in Japan for the Club World Cup. But an announcement was held up due to the tax problems that Neymar was facing at that point of time from both Spanish and Brazilian authorities.
Neymar recently helped Barcelona overcome Arsenal in London defeating the Gunners and taking a two away goal advantage to the Nou Camp. Messi scored both goals as Arsenal once again face exiting the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16.
The news comes to blow for several clubs with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City showing interest in the forward.
Barcelona and Neymar undergoing investigation
The Brazilian captain moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2013 for a reported fee of €57.1 million. But after investigations by Spanish authorities, the fee was revealed to be closer to €83 million. The National Court of Spain are still looking into the deal after a Brazilian investment group said they were financially affected after the club decided not to reveal the exact amount they paid Santos
The superstar is also under current investigation from Brazilian authorities for tax fraud. According to officials in the country, Neymar has evaded a tax amount reported to be around €14 million between 2011 and 2013 during his time with Santos. They have frozen several of his assets which include a yacht, a jet and several properties in Brazil.