Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Neymar and John Stones Rumours

Manchester United's slim hopes of landing Barcelona star Neymar in a sensational deal have been dealt a serious blow as the Brazilian has admitted he feels "at home" at the Catalan club.

He told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana), "I’m having a great year. Since last season, I’ve been playing my way, as I played before [at Santos], and I’m very happy. 

"I feel at home now. The first year was about learning, the second was better and I now feel more within the [Barca] family."

Contrary to suggestions that a desire to be the club's top dog—something that won't happen while Lionel Messi is still playing—could see him swap Barcelona for Old Trafford, the Brazil international added that he's happy contributing as part of the team.

Neymar is quoted as saying:

"

For me, what matters is to win trophies. 

The Ballon d’Or is always Leo and Cristiano [Ronaldo], who are worlds apart. 

I want to help [Barca] with goals and assists. I don’t care if I’m the top scorer, I just want to be happy.

"

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Barcelona's technical secretary Robert Fernandez was encouraged by Neymar's happiness at the club and believes they will have no problems in keeping him content despite his ongoing tax issues.

According to Marca, he said: "Neymar's situation is very easy to resolve. I'd be worried if Neymar weren't happy and he wanted to leave. That really would be a problem, but we can find a solution for the other stuff."

The Brazilian has been in typically breathtaking form this season and has particularly stood out in Messi's enforced absence through injury, per Squawka Football:

Indeed, La Liga writer Rik Sharma believes he has surpassed Ronaldo in the world-football hierarchy, and fellow journalist Rafael Hernandez seems to indicate the same:

Football journalist Dermot Corrigan feels the 23-year-old is a strong candidate to win this year's Ballon d'Or:

United are one of the few clubs who could afford the superstar and are perhaps the most likely destination if he ever does leave the Catalan giants, but it seems he's firmly set to stay put for the foreseeable future.

The Red Devils are also reportedly pursuing a deal for Everton centre-back John Stones.

According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, manager Louis van Gaal has sent scouts to run the rule over the youngster, but the club will need at least £45 million to prise him away from Goodison Park.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

The 21-year-old has forged an impressive reputation in recent years and is one of the most coveted defenders in Europe.

Former Premier League player Joey Barton and Dominic King of the Daily Mail are among many who believe he has a very bright future ahead of him:

United are in a strong financial position and have form in recent seasons for spending big money in the transfer market—Robson notes the £27 million they paid for Luke Shaw—so it's possible the club might pursue him despite his enormous price tag.

Of the suitors Robson mentions—United, Chelsea and Barcelona—the Blues seem the most likely candidates to meet that valuation, though, as they have a much more immediate need for his services.

The Red Devils have conceded just eight goals in the Premier League this term—the best record in the division—compared with Chelsea's 23, while John Terry will be 35 in December. The pair might go head-to-head for Stones in the summer, but the Blues are more likely to pay over the odds for him.