Neymar: Barcelona confident of extending Brazil forward's contract

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez is confident Brazil forward Neymar will sign a new contract to stay at the Catalan club. Neymar, whose current deal expires in 2018, has been in talks about extending his stay since the start of the season.

The 23-year-old's future came under the spotlight last week when his father, Neymar Senior, said tax problems could see the forward leave Spain. Manchester United were interested in signing Neymar in the summer, with the player confirming that he had held talks with the Premier League side.

"When one starts with the intention to renew, we all know that we can reach an agreement," Fernandez was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "We are all in agreement that Neymar will stay here in Barcelona. The player has expressed it publicly, his camp too. Neymar is content and happy at Barcelona and that's the most important thing for us," he added.

"We must face the situation calmly, thinking that if we have now finalised Rafinha's renewal, an agreement for Neymar's renewal will also be reached. There will be an agreement with Neymar. I do not doubt that. He will be Barcelona's for many years."

In-form forward

Neymar has led Barcelona's attack superbly in the absence of Lionel Messi, who only recently returned from a knee injury that had kept him sidelined for two months. His consistency in front of goal drew praise from his national team boss Dunga, who said he was performing at a "superior" level than Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If we look at the ranking by numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now," he said earlier this month. "Neymar has improved consistently since he arrived at Barcelona [in 2013]. He has done all that was expected of him with Messi out. He's in great form."

Neymar has scored 14 goals in 16 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions this season.