Barcelona fans have been waiting on pins and needles regarding Neymar's contract status with the club. The Brazilian's current contract is set to run out in 2018, and with pressure growing to transfer to the Premier League, Barcelona fans want some insurance behind one of their best players.
Neymar has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Barcelona that will run through 2021 and make him the second-highest paid player behind Lionel Messi, according to ESPN Brazil. The two sides have reportedly been in talks for awhile. Neymar had stressed that he plans on staying in Barcelona for many years, but no contract had been agreed upon, as rumors over funding have been flying around.
However, following the release of the report, Neymar's father and agent said that no contract had been signed just yet in part because he is still defending himself against charges over his transfer from Santos in 2013. Neymar Sr. is hopeful that something gets agreed upon soon.
"We hope that Neymar renews his contract," Neymar Sr. said, via AS. "He still has two more years left and the fans can be relaxed during this time. Now we will begin to talk, but we have not sat down yet. We have spent so much time defending ourselves from accusations that it was too early to talk about renewing the contract. We are relaxed with all that we are doing at Barcelona and I believe the club are too."
Barcelona received an offer from their side and rejected it, according to his father. Offers from both Messi and Luis Suarez were also reportedly handed in to Barcelona, and both were rejected, as well. Despite the controversy over the contracts, Neymar Sr. said that his son would not be transferring to somewhere like Real Madrid, despite the rumors.
"[Madrid] have not contacted us," Neymar Sr. said. "And the club has not spoken with them either. This is speculation, we have been living with this since Neymar was 16. Now we have more experience and we must wait until May or June. Neymar is very happy at Barcelona, the fans should be relaxed."
These comments might not ease the minds of Barcelona fans. Team president Josep Maria Bartomeau told ESPNFC.com that he is confident everyone stays put in Barcelona for many years. Messi, Suarez and Neymar have all verbally committed to the team, and he believes that the contracts will follow soon enough.
