Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu denies the club are in negotiations over selling Neymar and stresses the player doesn’t have permission for talks.
Marca reports Bartomeu speaking to Brazilian publication Globoesporte and denying reports from France’s L’Equipe that said Paris Saint-Germain were willing to trigger Neymar’s €193m clause.
“If someone is negotiating with Neymar, we didn’t authorise it,” Bartomeu confirmed, with the club and the player having been in contract talks.
“Neymar will stay at Barca. I’ve always said Neymar has nothing to do with it. All he said was ‘I want to play for Barcelona.’
“That was his wish. The controversy has diminished considerably in recent weeks and I hope it will end soon with a final decision.”
Bartomeu also touched on the legal battle regarding Neymar’s move to Camp Nou, with DIS, an investment firm, alleging they were short-changed for their share of the forward, and Santos complaining as well.
“Santos should be very happy because our Coach asked us to bring him a year earlier because that way they received money,” Bartomeu argued.
“If Neymar had come after the World Cup they wouldn’t have had anything. Not Santos nor DIS.”
