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Neymar will stay at Barcelona, says sporting director Robert Fernandez

Neymar celebrates
Image: Neymar is set to extend his contract with Barcelona, says the club's sporting director

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez says Neymar will be staying at the club, as will defender Javier Mascherano.

The Catalan side are convinced the Brazil captain will commit his long-term future to the Nou Camp as protracted negotiations continue over an extension to his current deal, which expires in June 2018.

Neymar - who just completed his third season at Barca - has attracted the attention of several leading European clubs but his present employers are keen to play down talk that he could soon be plying his trade elsewhere.

"Neymar will stay," Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez said on the club's official website.

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Justin Bieber shows his keepy-uppies skills with Neymar. Credit: www.instagram.com/justinbieber/

"He will reach an agreement with Barca and he will be here for a long time. The club will make it public when the extension is to be made."

Neymar scored 31 goals in 48 appearances last season to help the club win a domestic league and cup double.

Fernandez is also confident that central defender Javier Mascherano - who has two years left on his current deal - will remain at the club.

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Mascherano has been linked in the Spanish media with a move to Italian side Juventus but Barca will not want to lose another defender after Dani Alves was confirmed to be leaving the club after eight seasons on Thursday.

Javier Mascherano, 32 anni il prossimo 8 giugno (Getty)
Image: Javier Mascherano is also expected to stay at the club, Fernandez has said

When asked about Mascherano, Fernandez said: "We are clear. We will reach an agreement. He is a vital player for us and I don't have any doubts about whether he will stay."

The 31-year-old, who can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder, has been a regular for Barca since his arrival from Liverpool in 2010.    

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