Barcelona Transfer News: Neymar Contract Latest Amid Manchester United Rumours

Barcelona are adamant that Neymar will renew his contract at the Camp Nou despite continued speculation over his future.

Manchester United have been linked with the Brazilian superstar since the summer and were given a boost recently when Neymar Sr. indicated the forward's problems with the Spanish tax authorities could force him to leave La Liga, per Spanish radio station Cadena Ser (h/t MailOnline's Pete Jenson).

However, Barca's technical secretary Robert Fernandez has now insisted that Neymar will sign an extension to his current contract, which expires in 2018, per Spain's TV3 (via Sky Sports):

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When one starts with the intention to renew, we all know that we can reach an agreement. We are all in agreement that Neymar will stay here at Barcelona. The player has expressed it publicly, his camp too. Neymar is content and happy at Barcelona and that's the most important thing for us. We must face the situation calmly, thinking that if we have now finalised Rafinha's renewal, an agreement for Neymar's renewal will also be reached. There will be an agreement with Neymar. I do no doubt that. He will be Barcelona's [player] for many years.

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The 23-year-old has unquestionably been one of Europe's best players this season as he has propelled Barca to the top of La Liga in Lionel Messi's injury-enforced absence.

Neymar has netted 12 times in 11 Spanish top-flight matches and provided four assists, per WhoScored.com.

He is an indispensable part of Luis Enrique's squad at the Camp Nou and, along with Messi and Luis Suarez, makes up the most lethal attacking line in Europe, per Eurosport UK:

Neymar will undoubtedly demand much-improved terms on any new contract and Barca would be ill-advised to push back at all for fear of losing one of their key players.

The Brazil skipper surely will be eager to remain at Barca, currently the best side in Europe, according to Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

But if the Catalans can't give him what he wants, then Neymar may be attracted by greater financial rewards at other big clubs. 

Barcelona are seemingly aware of his value to the club, though, and confident that he will sign a new deal and remain at the Camp Nou in the long term.