Neymar Contract Renewal Would Be Perfect Way for Barcelona to Start 2015

It's widely agreed that 2014 was not a good year for Barcelona, but they're looking to kick 2015 off with a bang by renewing Neymar's contract.

A few weeks ago, Spanish newspaper Sport revealed the club wanted to extend Neymar's deal, which expires in 2018, by two years.

In recent days, talk over a new deal for the Brazil star has accelerated and both the player and his agent confirmed Sport's exclusive on Tuesday.

The newspaper published quotes from both of them, during a ceremony in which Neymar's institute in Praia Grande was inaugurated. Their story explained:

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From Brazil the player was excited to explain how things are coming along and spoke about the future. 'I could not be happier in Barcelona,' he said during the inauguration of the Neymar Jr Institute in the city of Praia Grande, near to Santos.

On the renewal, Neymar was brief but clear. 'When we talk to the club, I will renew,' he stated, talking about a planned meeting between the two sides in the coming weeks.

Ribeiro, meanwhile, acknowledged that Neymar had improved greatly in this second year at Barcelona. 'Of course Barcelona wants to renew him,' said Neymar's representative, before acknowledging that both club and player are close to reaching an agreement.

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Last season, Neymar’s contract was a problem for the club. The kerfuffle over the money involved in the deal eventually led to president Sandro Rosell resigning.

But this season, it could be a boost for Barcelona in more ways than one. The immediate effect is that it secures one of their biggest assets, and stops any questions over his future.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Neymar has been fantastic this season, bagging 14 goals already, just one less than the total he accrued in the entirety of last season.

His development has known no bounds, the player is stronger and more lethal than ever before.

It will also be a psychological boost for those at the club. Other players will see that they will be rewarded for playing well.

They will also see that despite the various disasters that befell the club in 2014, the future is still bright.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

While Lionel Messi is the current star, Neymar is significantly younger, and at 22 years old has over a decade at the top level ahead.

The club are waiting to find out what will happen to their transfer ban, with the issue currently in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But even if the ban is upheld, if they can get Neymar to commit to staying until 2020, then when they can finally sign players again in 2016, they will still be an attractive proposition.

Should Neymar’s contract talks be dragged out to that date, leaving 18 months or less before he can walk away, then Barcelona would be viewed with suspicion by their potential transfer targets.

But with the Brazilian signing on for years to come, future stars can rest assured that the club is in good hands.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Right now, a young player would look at Barcelona and Real Madrid and see the latter as a far more attractive destination.

They have a manager who has proven his class time and time again, a settled squad and are currently the best side in the world, with only Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich able to challenge that claim.

However, if Neymar agrees a new deal, then it would be a flag in the earth for Barcelona and from there they can kick on and make 2015 a lot better than 2014 was.