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Barcelona says Neymar Jr. staying with club despite PSG transfer reports

By Alex Butler
Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar Jr. attend the press conference for Rakuten Launch with FC Barcelona Global Partnership on July 13 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
1 of 3 | Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar Jr. attend the press conference for Rakuten Launch with FC Barcelona Global Partnership on July 13 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

July 19 (UPI) -- Multiple reports have surfaced regarding a transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to PSG, but the Brazilian is "happy" in Spain.

Brazilian news outlet Esporte Interativo broke the news Tuesday that Neymar agreed to a deal with French power Paris Saint-Germain. The report also stated that the Parisian club would pay his astronomical $256 million release clause.

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The report specified that PSG's addition of fellow Brazilian Dani Alves is considered a "gift" for Neymar.

Esporte Interativo also reported that Barcelona and PSG are both denying the proposed transfer, but that the French players have already "received the news" about Neymar's arrival. Neymar told the PSG players he "will join them at his new club," according to the report.

Neymar had an email exchange with Goal.com, where he revealed he is "happy" at Barca.

"The last one was my best season in Barcelona. I am very adapted to the city, the club and I am happy here. That is reflected on the performance of an athlete," Neymar wrote to the website.

"It was the season where I felt more comfortable, even though we did not win the titles we would have wanted. We played great games and lived incredible moments. Now, we need to work for the 2017-18 season so it will be even more positive individually and as a group."

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Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre addressed the transfer rumors Tuesday at a news conference.

"I'm 200 percent sure that he is going to stay," Mestre said, according to ESPN. "I've read information in the French press that PSG themselves have categorically denied it, a club with whom we are maintaining absolutely normal relations. Nothing has changed in that aspect."

Neymar is under contract with Barcelona through 2021, but is reluctant to play behind Lionel Messi, according to reports. Sport reported Monday that Neymar wants to be "the star" of Barcelona. Manchester City and Manchester United are also interested in the young superstar, according to Sport.

"...By the side of Messi you will always be second, you will always be in his shadow," Neymar's advisors told the superstar, according to Sport.

Neymar has never won the Ballon d'Or, while Messi has five of the awards. He recently attended Messi's wedding in Argentina.

The 25-year-old has 105 goals and 59 assists in 186 games for Barcelona. Last August he netted the winning penalty to give Brazil its first Olympic gold medal in men's soccer. Neymar signed a five-year pact with Barca in October.

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Neymar is slated to take part in Barca's United States preseason tour. The team battles Juventus Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. before battling Manchester United on July 26 in Maryland and rivals Real Madrid on July 29 in Miami.

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