Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claims Neymar never had any intention of moving back to Barcelona from the French giants.
The Brazilian remains the most expensive player in history, having signed for PSG for โฌ222 million in August of 2017.
Despite the massive transfer, there has been constant links of a return to Barcelona, with the Blaugrana reportedly attempting to bring him back in 2019 only for a deal to not materalise at that time.
Neymarโs contract was set to expire in the summer of 2022 which led to speculation he could return to Camp Nou as a free agent.
However, he would sign a lucrative new deal with PSG that will keep him in Paris until he is 33-years-old.
Al-Khelaifi says a return to Barca was never on Neymarโs mind anyway.
โBarcelona always wanted to get Neymar back, itโs no secret. But did Neymar want to go? No,โ he told LโEquipe.
โItโs true that his adaption to Paris and France was still incomplete, but call him and he will tell you how happy and fulfilled he is today.
โAs I said at the time, I donโt want players to do us a favour by signing for PSG. I want players who are proud to defend our colours. The club is above any player, whoever they are. We want players who fight, who give everything they have, who want to stay here.
โI regularly read rumours like โthis player wants to leaveโ and wonder how such fake news can come out.โ
Neymarโs contract renewal
Even though Neymar would eventually put pen to paper on the new deal, it took a long time for terms to be agreed which is why club directors like Leonardo and Al-Khelaifi had to continually answer questions about the playerโs future.
The PSG president claims the current financial state of football due to the pandemic is why negotiations took longer than expected.
โIt wasnโt difficult to deal with Neymar. Iโm convinced heโs one of the best players in the world,โ he explained.
โIf it took so long, itโs because the health crisis hampered discussions. I never had the slighted doubt he would extend โ even if Barcelona tried to recruit Neymar until the end.
โObviously, we declined. I believe this club have some economic problems, but thatโs none of our business.
โNeymar believes in our project, he loves the club, the city, the supporters.
โHeโs totally invested and still wants to win a lot of trophies here.
โIโm proud of the relationship weโve built and heโs told me he wants to end his career at PSG.โ
Though PSG have retained the services of Neymar, they are still sweating over the future of Kylian Mbappe, whose contract runs out in 12 months.
The World Cup winner is wanted by Real Madrid this summer.
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