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Neymar to stay with Barcelona for 'a long time' as club rule out move to Real Madrid or Manchester United

Neymar has two years left on his contract but is expected to negotiate an extension to remain in Barcelona

Jack de Menezes

Friday 03 June 2016 11:31 BST

Neymar will sign a new contract with Barcelona to stay at the club for 'a long time' (Getty)

Barcelona have played down reports linking Neymar with a transfer away from the club by confirming that he will stay at the club “for a long time”, despite suggestions that rivals Real Madrid could launch an audacious move for the Brazil captain.

Reports in Spain claimed that Real were considering a shock move for the 24-year-old, with Barcelona facing serious financial constraints that could force them into selling a star player along the likes of Neymar or Luis Suarez.

Talks over a new contract for Neymar have stalled in recent weeks to give the likes of Real and Manchester United hope of signing him this summer, but Barcelona’s sporting director Robert Fernandez has spoken to clarify the current situation regarding Neymar’s future and to warn off any clubs interested in making an offer for him.

"Neymar will stay," Fernandez said on the club's official website www.fcbarcelona.com.

"He will reach an agreement with Barca and he will be here for a long time. The club will make it public when the extension is to be made."

United made an attempt to sign Neymar last summer that proved unsuccessful, and the forward went on to score 31 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions to help Barcelona secure a La Liga and Copa del Rey double, although they suffered Champions League elimination in the quarter-finals to end their defence of the trophy. Neymar currently has two years left to run on his contract, but fears that he would look to run down his deal and leave have been dismissed by the club.

Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

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1/11Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

United were wary of entering the race to sign Ramos last summer, knowing he could well be using their interest to land himself a bigger contract. Nevertheless, United moved for the Real captain, and sure enough his “fractured” relationship with Real president Florentino Perez was suddenly patched up and he agreed a five-year contract extension.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

Hummels was linked with United in the summer of 2015 after putting his Dortmund future in doubt, alerting United that he could be available as a much-needed defensive target. The Germany international elected to stay in Dortmund though, and has now ended any chance of joining United in the near future by returning to Bayern Munich.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)

United were heavily linked with a loan move for Coentrao in United’s first transfer window under David Moyes and Ed Woodward. Things didn’t go according to plan though, and the move collapsed to leave the pair – Woodward in particular – facing criticism over his handling of the deal and his experience in the football world.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)

Another player who failed to complete a move during Moyes’s reign despite appearing nailed on to do so. ‘United officials’ arrived in Spain to tie up the deal for Herrera, only to be exposed as imposters as United had not sent anyone from the club. The move collapsed, and United would later sign Herrera the following year for an inflated fee.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona)

A year before Fabregas sealed his return to England with Chelsea, United had attempted to sign the former Arsenal captain. Again, with Moyes at the helm and repeated declarations of interest, United were unable to agree a deal with Barcelona, and the Spaniard remained with the Catalans for another year before heading to Stamford Bridge and leading them to the Premier League title.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich)

Kroos had fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola and the club made it clear that he was available for transfer. That alerted United, but despite making an official offer for the Germany international, he instead joined Real Madrid in 2014.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona

At the same time as their pursuit of Fabregas, United attempted to sign Thiago from Barcelona. The scenario was different in that Thiago had made it clear he was leaving the club after failing to see regular first-team action under the late Tito Vilanova, but the result proved the same as he chose to snub United in order to join Bayern

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

After a difficult second season in Spain, Bale’s future was under a degree of uncertainty. Rumours of player unrest and a desire to return to England were denied by Bale, but that didn’t stop United from launching a move for the Wales international. Real stood firm though and Bale remains a Real superstar, having inspired them through the Champions League semi-finals.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo has always expressed his desire to “one day” return to Old Trafford after making his name there. United would certainly welcome him back with open arms, but despite hinting at moves for the Portuguese a deal has never been found and United fans continue to wait for their favourite son to return home.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Neymar (Barcelona)

United made no secret about their pursuit of Neymar last summer, although there is some uncertainty over whether United were serious about their interest or if it was one to appease the fans’ clamour for a big signing. Neymar was unsure about his future at Barcelona due to his concerns over the tax rate in Spain, but United failed to persuade Barcelona to sell and he remains at the Nou Camp.

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Players Manchester United have failed to sign under Ed Woodward

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

United’s move for Neymar came after they were told in no uncertain terms to stop trying to sign Muller because he wasn’t leaving Bayern Munich. The German was reluctant to leave the Bundesliga champions despite Van Gaal’s interest, and instead of Neymar or Muller, United ended up with Anthony Martial instead.

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The club confirmed on Thursday that defender Dani Alves is leaving the club on a free transfer due to exercising a clause in his contract, with the former Sevilla right-back believed to be in talks with Juventus over joining the Italian champions.

However, reports emerged on Friday that his agent was spotted in France, with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain also believed to be interested in signing the 33-year-old.

One player linked with a move to Juventus who will not be leaving Barcelona though is Javier Mascherano, with Fernandez claiming that an “agreement” will be reached to keep the Argentina international with the Catalan club.

"We are clear. We will reach an agreement,” Fernandez added. “He is a vital player for us and I don't have any doubts about whether he will stay."

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