Barcelona President Rejects Neymar To Manchester United Transfer Rumor

FC Barcelona has no interest in selling Neymar to Manchester United, according to the man whose job it is to make such decisions at the Spanish giant.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu quashed speculation linking Neymar to Manchester United on Tuesday, telling Catalunya Radio he wants the Brazilian star to remain with the club into the distant future. Bartomeu commented on the Neymar to Manchester United rumor one day after Brazilian television network Globo reported the Red Devils lodged a mammoth, £140 million ($221 million) transfer bid for the 23-year-old forward.

“Those are just rumours and what people write but there is nothing to it,” Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio, according to Sky Sports. “Neymar is happy at Barca. We don’t want Neymar to leave at all.

“He is a young player that has an international football projection above the norm. He has helped us a lot in our recent successes. In a few months’ time we will discuss his contract extension as he has three years left on his current deal. We want him to stay for many years, three, five, 10 or even 15 years more with us.”

Neymar has been a key player for Barcelona since joining the club in a controversial transfer in 2013. Neymar scored 29 goals last season, helping Barcelona win La Liga (Spain’s first division), the Copa Del Rey (Spanish Cup) and the UEFA Champions League.

Neymar also is the top attacker and captain on Brazil’s national team.