Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Neymar and Matias Lacava Rumours

Barcelona won't even consider any offers from Manchester United for Neymar below his reported £137.8 million release clause, and even if such a bid were made, the Brazilian star is unlikely to leave the Catalans any time soon.

That's according to the Daily Star's Paul Hetherington, who shared comments from the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro, saying: “There is nothing. He has three years left on his contract. Barcelona have never thought of selling Neymar and he is very happy there.”

United have been linked with a shock move for the forward the past few days, and while most fans and pundits have greeted the report with mockery, several news outlets have picked up the story.

The Guardian's Jamie Jackson claims the 23-year-old has told the Red Devils he would consider a move, although Jackson immediately added the possibility of the forward using the reported interest in a ploy to get an improved contract from the Blaugrana.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand scoffs at the notion Neymar could be on his way to Old Trafford:

The Brazil international is one of the club's biggest stars and most important players, both from a footballing and marketing perspective. He's hugely popular in his native Brazil, where he helps build the Barcelona brand simply by playing for the club, and on the pitch, he forms a deadly trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Of the three, Neymar is the youngest and the one expected to take over the mantle of the club's biggest star from Messi at some point in the future. While none of this excludes a sale, they're all perfectly valid reasons why the Catalans would never entertain the idea of moving the youngster.

The Daily Mail's Oliver Holt added another wrinkle to the rumours:

Should this move ever come to pass, the decision will likely be Neymar's, and as of right now, there are few reasons he would consider leaving his current situation for a foreign adventure in a new league and with a team that doesn't look even remotely ready to challenge for major silverware.

Perhaps one day the forward will want a new challenge, or to step out of the shadow of Messi, but he's yet to give any indication that moment will come any time soon. He's just as likely to spend the next decade with Barcelona, building on his already impressive legacy.

It's too early to make any definitive statements on where the rest of Neymar's career will take him, but as of right now, there is absolutely no reason to believe he'll be leaving the Blaugrana in the near future.

Barca Lose Youth Star Matias Lacava

The Catalans continue to feel the consequences of their current transfer embargo, as the club announced its decision not to extend the contracts of two talented youth players: Dutch starlet Fode Fofana and Venezuela's Matias Lacava, widely regarded as one of the top talents in the Barcelona youth system.

As reported by Sport (h/t Football Espana), the club released a statement addressing the decision:

"

Barcelona wish to inform that the club has decided in a preventative measure, not to renew the licences of some players training with the club, so they cannot be interpreted as non-compliance with FIFA.

Barcelona, in co-ordination with FIFA, are currently in the process of regularising the documents of the players that led to the penalty.

In the same vein, and in view of possible interpretations of the applicable FIFA rules, the club will act at all times to avoid any situation possibly liable to breach such legislation.

To this end, Barcelona have taken the measures it deems appropriate.

"

The two were expected to be a part of the Infantil A side this upcoming season but can now no longer be registered.

Losing Lacava in particular will be a bitter pill to swallow, as the club had huge expectations for the 11-year-old.

It's unclear what will happen to the duo, who have spent the bulk of their young lives living in Spain and won't be too eager to leave their familiar surroundings.

Perhaps an interested club will be able to convince them to join their youth ranks, or Barcelona can exercise patience and find a way to bring them back into the fold at some point in the future.

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