Barcelona's plan to stop Neymar joining Manchester United revealed

Josep Bartomeu (left) says Barca approached Neymar over a new contract

 

BARCELONA are so determined to stop Manchester United signing Neymar they have opened up contract negotiations early, the club's president has revealed.

 

Neymar, 23, is contracted to the Nou Camp club until 2018 - but Barca say they have pushed to extend that deal for three further years.

United boss Louis van Gaal tried to sign Neymar in the summer but Barca rejected the deal.

 

And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo quote Barca president Josep Bartomeu as saying the Brazil international is underpaid and deserves a better contract.

"It was us who went to look for Neymar to discuss a renewal," Bartomeu said.

"We did not expect him to put it on the table. We thought it was necessary to get ahead (of other clubs)."

 

Neymar's current deal includes a £165million release clause - a figure United are reportedly considering meeting with an offer in January.

The Red Devils are also said to be prepared to hand the superstar a five-year contract worth £130m.

Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on signing the player - although Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo remains their top priority.