Neymar agrees new five-year Barcelona deal

Brazilian striker Neymar will sign a new five-year contract with Barcelona this week, his agents said Thursday, ending speculation over his future at the Spanish champions. The international, 24, is widely regarded as one of the finest talents in world football and is part of the much-feared attacking trident alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona.

“The athlete, along with his family, has decided to stay with FC Barcelona and will renew his contract for five more years,” said NN Consultoria, the agency representing the international forward, 24.

“The contract will be formalised this week. The decision puts an end to speculation about the star’s future.” Neymar wrote on Twitter:”I am very happy to continue living this dream. Long live Barca and long live Catalonia!”

The Catalan club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu had earlier rejected rumours over Neymar’s possible transfer to another club, with Manchester United among the teams supposedly chasing him. The prolific Neymar was already under contract until 2018 with Barcelona, having transferred in 2013 from Brazil’s Santos. That transfer deal has haunted the club because of alleged hidden payments that have sparked legal action. Speculation had mounted around whether or not Neymar would extend his stay at the Camp Nou or make another lucrative move.