Neymar WILL renew with FC Barcelona!
“Renewal [talks] are underway. I am optimistic.” With these words, after the extraordinary exhibition of football against Celta Vigo, Neymar confirmed one thing: he will reject the multi-million offers he has on the table (Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG) and sign a new contract with Barcelona. When? Soon. Very soon. Possibly at the end of the season.
The Brazilian’s future is tied down. Because Barça are offering him an important salary increase (he will become the second best paid player in the squad, behind Lionel Messi) and because the player wants to continue enjoying himself and winning titles alongside his friends Messi and Luis Suarez. “We love each other a lot and our friendship is the most important thing,” he assured after the Uruguayan had ‘robbed’ a couple of his goals against Celta.
Neymar will renew, then, in the coming months. There’s no rush. Barça are preparing an ‘immaculate’ contract, one which won’t throw up any tax problems. The club understand Neymar is the future and don’t want any more problems with the courts, as happened with his signing. The player, his father, the club and the presidents past and present (Rosell and Bartomeu) have ended up in front of a judge.
The new contract will include guarantees to allow Neymar and his family to feel protected on this front. It’s something the player and his father (publicly and privately) have requested in the negotiations. Barça are working in silence to reach an agreement which satisfies everyone.
Despite the rumours circulating surrounding his future, FC Barcelona have remained calm, confident the 24-year-old will remain at Camp Nou. Basically because Neymar prioritises sporting success and happiness over other things. It’s evident he wants to be paid as he deserves to be (he is currently the seventh best paid player), but he’s happy to earn less than he could at other clubs to continue enjoying his football and winning trophies with Barça.
“If Neymar wants to win the Ballon d’Or, he has to continue at Barça,” the former Barcelona striker Hristro Stoichkov said a few days ago. Neymar thinks the same. This year he was on the podium. And even though he respects (and admires) Messi, he is convinced he can be his football heir - at Barcelona and in the world.
It’s probable that more rumours will follow in the coming weeks. New attempts from some of Europe’s biggest clubs to try and acquire his services. But even though officially Barcelona don’t want to say anything until the terms are signed, the Brazilian’s future is assured with an improved contract, an extension on the current terms (2018 is likely to become 2020) and an increased release clause (from 190m to 250m).
