Barcelona striker Neymar Jr. has signed a pre-contract with the Catalans, according to various sources in Spain. The Brazilian virtuoso has been in contractual negations with Barcelona since the season began, and the complex deal has finally made a progressive step, if the Spanish press are to be believed.
According to Spanish radio network Cadena Cope, Neymar has signed a ‘pre-contract’ that will keep him at the club until 2021, which amounts to a three-year extension on his current deal. The Brazilian has put his signature on a ‘letter of intent’ that is not legally binding, but has clauses that could be finalized in the formal contract Neymar might eventually sign.
The Spanish radio show El Partido de las 12 reported further details, saying that wages and bonus clauses haven’t been finalized, but the framework for those talks has been laid out. The three-year extension to Neymar’s current deal, which runs out in 2018, guarantees the striker a rise in his salary, although the extent to which that can occur has yet to be discussed.
Barcelona will have to tread carefully, as any high wages will see them cross their salary cap, which will mean the might have to offload many players from their squad.
Neymar’s future subject of incessant speculation
Neymar is enjoying a breakout season at Barcelona, and is legitimately vital to the Catalans on the pitch. However, his rise has meant that top clubs around Europe have laid covetous eyes on him, especially given his contractual situation. The Brazilian has been in negotiations with Barcelona since the season started, although the long, drawn-out negotiations have made the club nervous.
The Brazilian has had issues with the courts in Spain, with a case for tax fraud currently being heard in Spain. As such, Neymar might be amenable to a move elsewhere, especially after the courts recently froze his assets, which included a personal jet and private plane amongst other things.
The forward was also asked about his future after Barcelona’s game against Celta Vigo in the last few days, but responded that ‘anything could happen’, leading to stories in the press linking him with moves to Europe’s top clubs.
The news that Neymar has signed a pre-contract, while tenuous, is sure to calm Barcelona fans’ fears that the Brazilian will move on to a rival club, breaking up the fames MSN trio.
