Neymar close to new Barcelona contract: Reports

FC Barcelona's Brazilian star Neymar is on the verge of signing a new six-year contract with the football club, according to reports in the Spanish press.

The Barcelona based 'El Mundo Deportivo', which has close links to the club, reported on Thursday that months of negotiations will come to a happy conclusion for both parties in the coming days with the 24-year-old penning a deal to keep him at Barcelona until the end of June 2022, reports Xinhua.

The new contract will also see Neymar's buyout clause increased to 220 million euros (around $245 million) a quantity sufficient to calm the desire of any club wanting to sign him.

Last summer saw Manchester United make an offer for the striker as the English club looked to rebuild, while Real Madrid, who were keen on signing Neymar three years ago, were also rumoured to be interested in pulling off what would have been an important coup against their traditional rivals.

With Barcelona due to face Sevilla in the final of the Kings Cup on Sunday, the club hopes to have the deal finalized before Neymar goes on holiday the following week and as such put a definitive end to rumours about his future.

The club has ensured one important detail, however, both Neymar's buyout clause and his wages are still lower than those of Lionel Messi, because although at the club they view Neymar as their number one star for the future, everyone knows that for the moment Messi is still number one.

--IANS

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