Santos hoping to tie down Neymar

Feb 27, 2013 9:45:00 PM

The club's vice-president has confirmed negotiations have opened up between the two parties over a new deal, and also denies Barcelona have struck a deal for the player

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues has confirmed that the club have begun talks with striker Neymar over a contract extension with the club.

The Brazilian's current deal expires in 2014, but the club are hoping to tie him down for longer, and have already started negotiating with his father, who handles the player's affairs.

“We have decided already, we want to extend the deal beyond 2014. We're working for that. We already started the conversations with Neymar's father,” Odilio told UOL Esporte.

"Santos are working to pen down a new deal."

Rodrigues went on to emphasise that no agreement had been reached with any club over an eventual move to Europe.

“His father denies [that the player has a deal with Barcelona] and we believe him, we believe he didn't sign any kind of deal," he continued.

"He has always been honest and straightforward with us. He said Neymar will stay where he's happy. Neymar is sold every day, every day someone else claims he has been negotiated.

“We even read that Santos already received money. It's routine, but there's nothing between Santos and another club.”