On one level, the declaration from Barcelona’s sporting director Robert Fernandez that Neymar will stay at the club for the remainder of his career is a simple statement of his value to the Catalan giants.
Neymar is an integral member of the team’s success under Luis Enrique, with his 39 goals from 51 games in all competitions last season playing a fundamental role in the magnificent treble-winning triumph.
He has started the new season below his best, but that is a consequence of a horribly disrupted pre-season which saw him take part in virtually no training sessions due to an extended holiday following Copa America and an outbreak of measles. When he gains full fitness, his form will follow suit.
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At the age of just 23, Neymar still has a lot of football to play and it is only logical that Barca want to ensure he plays it at the Nou Camp – hence Fernandez’s comments.
However, on another level the gushing compliments from the man in charge of the club’s contractual matters are also the latest strategic move in the slowly developing negotiations over an extended deal for the Brazilian winger.
Neymar’s current contract does not expire until 2018, so there is plenty of time for agreement to be reached.
The club want to keep Neymar and he wants to stay, but that doesn’t mean he – or his canny father, who looks after his business interests – will make it easy for Barca.
Naturally, Neymar wants to secure the best possible pay rise before he puts pen to paper, and the closer we get to that far-off date, the stronger his hand becomes.
Barça beat Atletico 2-1 thanks to this free kick by Neymar and a goal by Messi #barce… (Vine by Barça Vines) https://t.co/vAGu0OGvp8
— TRIPLETE 2.0 (@josefcb3) September 13, 2015
The club could not risk losing a player they regard as fundamental to their long-term success, so they ideally need the deal agreed by next summer – two years is generally the minimum clubs are prepared to allow on contracts of players they value highly.
By taking his time and allowing the two-year ‘deadline’ to approach, though, Neymar will force Barca into gradually upping their financial offer.
And of course, if there happens to be some media speculation linking the player with a move elsewhere, that would also be handy to the Brazilian – hence the ridiculous rumours of a supposedly imminent move to Manchester United at the beginning of September.
Conversely, it is also in Barca’s interests to get the matter settled quickly, to avoid being pushed into a corner at a later date.
Ultimately, it is practically certain the jousting will reach a successful conclusion and Neymar will sign a lucrative new deal almost making him the highest paid player at the club.
Only almost, though. Because as ever at the Nou Camp, the shadowy presence of Lionel Messi is also playing a role in Barca’s plans with Neymar.
At the moment, Messi is clearly the undisputed top dog and Neymar knows that he will not even come close to matching the Argentine’s €20m annual pay packet or influence at the club.
But Messi cannot continue forever, and when age starts to take its toll – perhaps three or four years from now – the succession plan is for Neymar, who will then be in his prime, to become the new leading force.
For that to happen Barca need to keep him sweet and get him to sign a new deal, so expect more sugary words in the coming months.
