Mestre: No Neymar talks… yet

Jordi Mestre admits Barcelona have yet to enter contract negotiations with Neymar but is confident his €190m release clause will not be met.

In a candid interview with Mundo Deportivo, the Vice-President – aside from touching on FIFA’s treatment of the club and Lionel Messi’s tax case – also discussed Barca’s plans for the January transfer window, Rafinha and Adriano’s new deals and the future of their ‘B’ team.

“[The board] don’t make sporting decisions but economic decisions,” he remarked.

“In January, when Robert [Fernandez] approaches us with a proposal approved by Luis Enrique, we’ll look at it, but we must be wary of our budget.

“We might have incomings and outgoings [in January]. Our summer signings were based on sales.

“[On 68 percent of the club’s budget being spent on wages], we’re not nervous.

“The Assembly has the final word, but we must still be cautious and very careful.

“If we already have the best team and the best players, our challenge is to maximise them and contain spending.

“[On Rafinha’s new contract], it’s hot. He’ll be renewed until 2021.

“[Adriano] has until March to decide. If a move arises, we’ll happily agree to it but still analyse it because we don’t want the club to suffer.

“We haven’t discussed anything with Neymar yet, neither is there anything official on the table, nor has there been any formal conversations.

“Unfortunately we have no control [of his tax case], but there’s no urgency.

“He has a three-year contract and the club have no need [to renew it].

“He should only focus on playing, and now he has a very important role to play with the injury to Messi. When the time comes, we’ll talk.

“[On his ‘low’ 190m release clause], everyone can talk, but what counts is what’s written. His terms are what they are for whoever wants to pay out.

“I don’t make decisions based on assumptions. I don’t speculate and only discuss situations when they’re real and – even better – written.

“I’ve always said that if a player wants to go then they can, be it Neymar or someone else, and if they want to stay then they will. It’s not a question of money.

“[On ‘B’ youngsters], our plan is to keep them and support the [‘B’] team, especially [Sergi] Samper, who has sacrificed so much for the club and opted to stay.

“If they want to go then we’ll see, but only if [buy-back] clauses are involved.” 

Tags Adriano Barcelona B Jordi Mestre Neymar Rafinha Sergi Samper Transfers
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