Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has assured that Neymar would not be leaving for Paris Saint-Germain during this summer’s transfer window.
The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a move to Parc des Princes in recent days after manager Unai Emery admitted that the club are looking at world-class players to add to their squad.
Neymar currently has a staggering release clause of £179m on his Barcelona contract, and this has not diminished speculation over his future with Paris Saint-Germain desperate to make significant progress in Europe next season. The former French champions have made it a habit of exiting in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, and Emery has been tasked with the job of pushing the club further in the quest for European glory.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Bartomeu insisted that it is highly unlikely that Paris Saint-Germain will pursue a deal for Neymar as it would put them behind in the Financial Fair Play requirements, he said: “He is not on the market. He has a contract for the coming four years and, of course, we count on him. He’s part of our team. He’s part of this trident. These clauses are impossible to activate, if you want to comply with the financial fair play. If someone doesn’t want to comply, then, of course, it can be activated.”
Neymar enjoyed one of the best spells in the Barcelona shirt last season as he came from the shadows of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to put up a couple of memorable performances. The former Santos man could be fondly remembered for Barcelona’s 6-5 aggregate win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockouts last year, where his work rate on the playing field was fondly admired. At 25, Neymar is at the right age to step up his game, and a record switch to Paris could help him evolve into the best player in the world.