Manchester United target Neymar 'is happy' and will 'stay at Barcelona' for the long term

Manchester United have received a blow in their future hopes to secure the services of Neymar after the father and agent of the Barcelona star claimed the player is likely to stay at the Camp Nou for the long term. Recent reports claimed the Spanish giants were ready to offer the Brazil international a pay rise to ward off the interest from Premier League side but Neymar's father says it is not necessary as the forward is happy and has three years remaining on his contract.

In August, Brazilian publication Globo Esporte reported Louis van Gaal's side had launched a €190m (£140m) bid to secure Neymar, as the Dutch boss had earmarked him as his marquee signing of the summer transfer window. The Guardian later added to speculation after claiming the former Santos star was open to the idea of moving to Old Trafford despite having become a favourite for the Barcelona supporters since his arrival in the summer of 2013.

Sport recently claimed the interest from the Premier League side had urged Barcelona to get Neymar to commit his long-term future to the club. The Catalan-based newspaper reported that the Champions League holders were ready to almost double his wages to put him just behind Lionel Messi in terms of the side's biggest earners.

Barcelona officials have since confirmed they expect to reward the player with a new contract and are likely to see the 23-year-old star hang up his boots at the Camp Nou. But Neymar's father has claimed it is not necessary as his son is not going anywhere.

"People can be calm. Neymar is going to stay at Barcelona," he said to Cuatro. "We don't need to agreed a new deal with Barcelona because he still has three years on his contract. It is not necessary that the club offer him a renewal."

Neymar has already said he wants to stay at Barcelona, no matter the money other clubs could offer. "I want to stay at Barcelona, no matter how many million-pound offers come from England," he said, as quoted by Sport. "The people from Barca can be calm. When I hear things like this, I don't think anything. I just heard it and I am calm. I am very happy at Barca and with my colleagues."