Neymar 'will not be sold,' says Barcelona director

Amid repeated links with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United, Barcelona director Jordi Mestre has stressed that Neymar "will not be sold."

The Brazilian superstar apparently threw a temper tantrum in last Sunday's home defeat to Valencia in what was his fifth straight match without troubling the scoresheet, and his faltering form is also compounded by his off-the-field issues as he contends a tax evasion case.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan understands that negotiations can begin with Neymar should a club meet his €190-million release clause, but the Camp Nou hierarchy maintains that it's happy with the striker.

"That is something that keeps coming up, but I have said it many times - we are delighted with Neymar," told Barca TV.

"Neymar will not be sold. We have not even thought about doing it."

The 24-year-old is said to have been subject to a vast amount of interest when he played out his last matches with Santos in 2013, but that he opted for the Catalonian club for the quality of football rather than the astronomical wages offered elsewhere.

"When he signed for us, he made a financial effort as other clubs were going to give him more money," Mestre continued. "He came here to play because he wanted to play good football, alongside (Lionel) Messi, to win trophies.

"This season he has been spectacular. For sure, that he has not scored recently, or things have not gone as he wanted, has brought out some comments, but they are pure speculation."

Barca's shock 2-1 loss to Valencia allowed Atletico Madrid to draw level on points at La Liga's summit, and Real Madrid to move to within a point of the top. Luis Enrique takes his squad to Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday.