Transfer Centre

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde: 'Neymar is going nowhere'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 23 July 2017

Ernesto Valverde stresses that Barcelona are desperate to keep hold of Neymar, following suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain are willing to buy out his contract.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has admitted that it is vital he keeps hold of Neymar this summer, amid ongoing speculation that the Brazilian forward is a target for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Parisians are prepared to push ahead with a mammoth offer to land the Brazil international, who has a £192m release clause inserted in his contract.

Neymar has refused to publicly commit his future to Barca, which has reportedly left the club fearful of losing one of their key assets ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking after his side's 2-1 friendly win over Juventus on Saturday night, in which Neymar scored twice in the first half, Valverde stressed that Barcelona will do their all to keep Neymar at the club.

"Barca are not going to go without Neymar," he told reporters. "We want him with us. We know the importance he has not just in our play, but also in the dressing room, where he contributes to the dynamic of the group. We want him with us, that's clear."

Neymar, who joined Barca from Santos in 2013, netted 13 goals in 30 La Liga outings last term and created a further 89 chances for his teammates.