Barcelona are set to negotiate a new deal with Brazilian superstar Neymar, that will see the 22-year-old’s current contract extended until 2020, while also raising his salary and release clause to prevent one of football’s most marketable players from leaving the Camp Nou.
According to Barcelona-based newspaper, Sport, the Blaugrana are keen to negotiate a new deal for the in-form Brazilian captain before the end of 2014, as the trickster seem to be a vital part of their future, despite having signed his original contract just a 18 months ago. Inside Spanish Football understands.
Neymar’s transfer saga and controversies has stipulated that his transfer fee to Barca reached an estimated €100 million but his wages are not as high as it may seem as the player’s wealth is based mostly on sponsorship. Even his fellow countryman Dani Alves earns a heavier amount in Barcelona.
Moreover, the Catalan Giants want to reward Neymar for his professionalism on and off the pitch by bringing his salary to the second highest tier, equal to that of La Masia big names, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Gerard Pique.
The highest salary on the team is and will be that of Talisman Lionel Messi, but Barcelona are hoping to make a massive statement and putting the winger’s salary just below it, putting him on par with Luis Suarez.
Barcelona are hoping to get the deal signed before or during January 2015 and would do more, but FIFA rules mandate that a player’s contract must be limited to five years, forcing Barcelona to only extend two years beyond when his original contract expires in June 2018.
By so doing, Barcelona are not only protecting their own massive investment by increasing his already unattainable €190 million release clause, but bridging the superstar role to be passed from Messi to Neymar.