Barcelona Transfer News: Neymar Tipped to Extend Contract, Latest Rumours

Neymar has been tipped to extend his contract at Barcelona, with club vice president Carles Vilarrubi claiming he is "certain" the Brazilian forward will remain at the Camp Nou.

Vilarrubi also sought to ease fears former Barca chief Pep Guardiola will sign any of his old players, including holding midfielder Sergio Busquets, once he takes over at Manchester City in the summer.

Speaking to Radio Catalunya (h/t Sky Sports' James Walker-Roberts), Vilarrubi wouldn't set a date for when Neymar will officially agree to new terms, but he made it clear the club isn't worried about the alternative:

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Neymar will renew his contract. It will be when he wants, and when the club wants. We are absolutely certain. He is committed to the team and is happy with his team-mates. The club gives him a lot of happiness.

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Vilarrubi's words will come as welcome relief to supporters no doubt concerned by the growing transfer rumours surrounding Neymar, the latest of which see him linked with a move to the Premier League.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

In fact, the former Santos star is being tipped to spark a transfer tussle between local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United, according to Antony Kastrinakis of the Sun. He states how both clubs are keen to make Neymar the face of a new era of dominance.

That's likely similar to Barca's own plans for the prolific 24-year-old who has helped himself to 21 goals in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com.

Neymar also helped Barcelona win a treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League honours last season. Along with fellow strikers Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, the South American sensation seems poised to do the same again in this campaign. This front three is the key to Barca's current domination of the European game.

While there will be no immediate plans to disband the free-scoring trio, club officials like Vilarrubi must also have an eye on the future, with Messi 28 and Suarez 29. Neither is past his peak, but the future clearly belongs to Neymar, a player seemingly ready to stake his claim as the world's best sooner rather than later.

If that distinction ever applies, Barca will hope Neymar is still plying his trade at the Camp Nou.

But he isn't the only significant figure the club is confident of keeping around. During his radio interview, Vilarrubi also had this to say about Busquets, "We are convinced that Sergio will wear the shirt of Barcelona for many years."

Referencing the possibility of a Guardiola move for the midfield anchorman, Vilarrubi moved to reassure fans: "Also [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen, Neymar…They are the first to enjoy Barcelona, and they show on the pitch their desire to wear the shirt. Fans can sleep at ease with the possibility that Guardiola will take any players; they are very committed."

The idea of Guardiola landing Busquets gathered pace on Tuesday when the player told ESPN Deportes (h/t ESPN FC) only his former boss could tempt him away from Barca: "On a sporting level, that other person is Guardiola. It's clear that I owe Pep a lot, and I would be honoured to work with him again."

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While any such move still seems unlikely, losing Busquets would be a tough blow for the balance of Barcelona's squad. The club plays a slightly more direct way under manager Luis Enrique than when Guardiola was in charge, but Busquets still has a vital role.

His positioning and intelligence at the base of midfield and in front of the defence allows the full-backs license to press forward and supplement the attack. He also grants playmakers Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta the freedom to roam forward.

Few players in the game handle the demands of this tough position as well as Busquets. That's why the club is planning a new contract for the 27-year-old, according to Spanish publication Sport (h/t Football Espana).

Keeping top stars such as Neymar and Busquets will be vital to Barca's bid to remain at the top of the European game for years to come.

The latter is essential to the way the current team both attacks and defends. Meanwhile, Neymar represents the hope of even greater success in the future.

Vilarrubi's defiant claims about the future's of both players will give confidence to some, but Barca fans won't really rest easy until both have actually inked their names on new contracts and officially ended the hopes of a growing number of Europe's top clubs.