Brazilian superstar Neymar is “200%” going to remain a Barcelona player, says the Catalan club.
Barcelona was responding to Brazilian broadcaster Esporte Interativo’s Tuesday report linking Neymar with a move to French club Paris Saint-Germain in a world record transfer deal.
The Barcelona forward has a $256 million release clause in the five-year contract he signed in October 2016.
“Neymar wants to join Paris Saint-Germain, that’s for sure,” the journalist who broke the story, Marcelo Bechler, told CNN Sport, basing his report on sources close to Neymar, both at Barcelona and PSG.
“This is a personal decision. Neymar thinks that he can be the best player in the world, but that it cannot happen if he plays with Lionel Messi.”
Reportedly, Neymar has grown unhappy in the Argentine’s shadow at Barcelona, despite scoring over a century of goals since joining from Santos in 2013, though in an email exchange with Goal website, the Brazilian international said he’s “happy” at Barcelona.
Goal understands Neymar is ready to leave Barcelona for PSG in a deal worth €222 million after growing frustrated at Camp Nou.
Les Parisiens are looking to make a marquee signing this summer following the arrival of Dani Alves, and are also being linked with Kylian Mbappe and Alexis Sanchez.
Neymar, however, has moved to quash such reports and insists he is “happy” at Camp Nou and said he is looking forward to next season during an email exchange with Goal.
“The last one was my best season in Barcelona. I am very adapted to the city, the club and I am happy here. That is reflected on the performance of an athlete,” Neymar told Goal on Tuesday in response to a question initially sent to him last week.
“It was the season where I felt more comfortable, even though we did not win the titles we would have wanted. We played great games and lived incredible moments. Now, we need to work for the 2017-18 season so it will be even more positive individually and as a group.”
The current world record transfer fee is $120 million, which was paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba when the Frenchman moved to the English Premier League club from Juventus.
PSG recently signed Neymar’s close friend and former teammate Dani Alves, who snubbed Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in favor of the French club.
Barcelona spokesman Chemi Teres on Wednesday pointed to comments of vice-president Jordi Mestre, who said in a press conference that Neymar is “200%” going to remain a Barcelona player.
“Selling Neymar is not something the club would think about,” said Josep Vives, another club spokesman. “We are very calm. He is one of the most important players we have; we will not consider any offers we receive for him.”
Though Bechler accepts both clubs are denying the allegations, he insists the deal is likely to go ahead and some teammates have been already made aware of Neymar’s desire to leave.
“Barcelona is denying, PSG is denying, Neymar’s father is denying — I know that,” the journalist told said.
“But the information is that Barcelona players already know his decision, and the Brazilian players of PSG also know Neymar’s decision.
“Now, Neymar’s father has to talk to PSG directors to weigh up this huge money investment, but the player’s desire is to move to PSG in the next two weeks.”
Neymar has won every major honor at Barcelona and placed fifth behind Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Cristian Ronaldo in the vote for the 2016 Ballon d’Or.
Anthony Nlebem with wire reports
