Manchester United Transfer News: Neymar Reportedly Stalls on Barcelona Contract

Manchester United will be pleased to learn Neymar is currently "unwilling" to sign a new deal with Barcelona, after the player recently admitted the Red Devils had approached him.

Media outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t the Mirror) said the Brazilian superstar has no designs on signing a new deal with the Blaugrana at present, in light of United manager Louis van Gaal's enquiry in the summer. 

Neymar admitted to ESPN (h/t Sport) he spoke to the Premier League giants, but no deal materialised: “We had conversations, I heard that there were offers, but none made it to me.” 

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Curiously, LvG name-dropped the Barca forward when discussing winger Ashley Young's attributes at the start of the campaign, saying, per Carl Markham of the Press Association (h/t the Daily Mail): "You can expect things from Ashley Young. He had a fantastic season. But he is not a Neymar."

However, Barcelona have responded to the speculation surrounding Neymar, with the club's technical director Roberto Fernandez saying the Brazilian will stay at the Camp Nou for the remainder of his career, as reported by Marca (h/t The Press Association via the Mirror): "We are currently working on Neymar's contract extension and I don't think there will be any type of problem. I have no doubt in my mind that Neymar will spend the rest of his life at Barcelona."

Neymar was in superb form last term as Barcelona stormed to an historic treble, sweeping the major trophies in front of them. The attacker smashed 32 goals in La Liga and Europe, making a major contribution to his team's fortunes and partially stepping out of Lionel Messi's shadow, per WhoScored.com.

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However, Sky Sports' La Liga expert Guillem Balague (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror) said during a recent question-and-answer session the Brazilian is prepared to move if he feels it will help him achieve his ambitions of surpassing Messi on the world stage:

"

Is he considering doing so in the future? Categorically, yes. It is going to be the saga of the next 12 months or more—his new contract with Barcelona. FCB want him to sign it now, he is not in a rush. Why? I think he feels he will not be the best player in the world while at Barcelona, with Messi leading the team. So he has to decide if he stays and waits for Messi to move on, or goes to a team that will build around him.

"

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Any move for Neymar would be hugely complicated and there will be no desire from Barca coach Luis Enrique to see the player depart.

Agents have become very savvy over the years when it comes to new contracts, and the player's representatives will know United's interest will see Neymar remain in a position of power with the Spanish champions. 

The player currently holds all the cards, with United desperate to land a superstar to add to their ranks, and if Neymar flirts with the Old Trafford club just loud enough for Barca to hear, he might add a few more zeros to his wage once the time comes to sign a new deal.