Neymar
Neymar's current contract is set to expire in 2018 Reuters

Neymar has told the Barcelona faithful to remain calm about his future at the club, as talks over a contract renewal are "under way". The Brazilian ace is optimistic about reaching an agreement, despite ongoing speculation linking him with a mega-bucks move to Manchester United or other suitors.

Neymar's long-term situation at the Nou Camp has been under scrutiny since the summer transfer window, when reports in his homeland suggested Manchester United were desperate to make him their marquee signing of 2015 by meeting his €190m (£147m) release clause.

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Both the player and his father later confirmed that United did try to secure his services, but he wished to stay at Barcelona instead, with the club eager to negotiate a new deal. However, recent weeks have seen rumours circulate again due to delays in a new contract being signed, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and even Real Madrid were all reported to be monitoring the situation.

Speaking in court in early February during the ongoing investigation into the player's transfer from Santos in 2013, Neymar's father confirmed that his son had received a huge offer from an unnamed club to leave Barcelona, admitting later to Cadena Cope that the offer in question was from Manchester United.

But Neymar has moved to reassure Barcelona's fans, saying he wants to renew his current deal, which runs until 2018.

"The renewal [talks] are under way," he said after the 6-1 victory over Celta Vigo on 14 February, as quoted by Sport. "I still have three years left on my contract and I am relaxed. I'm optimistic we will reach an agreement."

Despite the worries of contract negotiations, Neymar claims his main focus right now is ensuring Barcelona keep on winning games, ahead of a crucial run of matches that include a Champions League trip to Arsenal on 23 February.

"We have 10 very difficult days ahead of us, with travelling and really important games," he said. "We are really happy with the run of good results we are on, what we have achieved so far and how we are playing. We want to continue this way. Arsenal are on the horizon, they're a great team and it will be a tough tie, but we are going to play our way to [try and] win."