Neymar
Barcelona star Neymar has been linked with a move to Manchester United Getty

Neymar's father and agent has warned that the Brazil international will not renew his contract at Barcelona until all his problems with the Brazilian tax authorities are solved. Neymar senior insists that even though his son is "happy" at the Camp Nou he needs legal protection before putting pen to paper on a new deal just days after revealing Manchester United made an offer to secure his services during the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian international's future at the Catalan club came under scrutiny during the last days of the summer transfer window after Globo Esporte reported that Louis van Gaal's side were launching a €190m (£139m, $215m) bid to secure the services of Neymar.

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Sport later claimed that Barcelona were ready to respond to the United bid by offering Neymar a new deal with a lucrative pay rise in order to quash the speculation and committing his future to the club. The Catalan-based newspaper claimed that the Premier League giants eventually offered him £14.65m a year (£280,000 a week) to temp him to leave the Champions League winners.

There has been no further declaration on the Brazilian star's future at the club from the Catalan giants. Instead, the player's father sparked speculation after admitting Manchester United had made preliminary enquiries over the summer.

Neymar senior has now clarified the situation during a long interview with Sport where he claimed that the player is likely to stay at Barcelona but he wants first to solve his problems with the authorities.

"We have three years left on the current deal. We, the family, are suffering from huge insecurity [to do with taxes and the legal proceedings], so that affects how we plan his career. We need these matters to be over. How can we extend something if we don't have tax stability? What is it that is happening? Spain has to tell me if my companies can work with Neymar Jr; they have to define what their position is," he said.

"We are seeing various players suffering from tax sanctions. Why am I going to anticipate a renewal if I don't have certainty that we won't be supported in what we are working for? I intent to wait, stay calm and do the best for Neymar"

"We have to be ready. One cannot be playing football for so long and later be surprise by a trial or an investigation. For that reason, so that we can be calm we want to know what we can do, how we can pay taxes in Spain. There are all these problems with N&N Consulting that need to be resolved. We are giving everything for things to be clarified."

Neymar's agent, nevertheless, reiterated his claims over the United offer but said he is calm over his son future at Barcelona as he still has three years remaining on his current deal at the Camp Nou.

"United phoned Barcelona and got the answer that Neymar has a contract and is not for sale. Everyone is calm. Neymar still has three years on his deal." He added. "We are happy. Neymar chose to play here and he is super-happy in Barcelona. You can see that. We know that Barcelona is different: It's not just about winning, but convincing and playing well. That's where you find the greatness of this club."