Neymar set to extend Barca stay

Barcelona have announced that Neymar will sign a new contract on Friday while Javier Mascherano has already penned a new three-year deal with the club.

Former Liverpool and West Ham United midfielder Mascherano will remain at the Nou Camp until the end of the 2018/19 season.

The 32-year-old Argentina international, who was linked with a transfer to Juventus in the summer, moved to Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and has made 289 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Neymar will ink a new contract that will last until June 2021 and the Brazil international’s team-mate Ivan Rakitic believes he can become the best player in the world.

Neymar has scored 90 goals in 149 appearances for Barca following his transfer from Santos in 2013.

“If we speak about the best, it is Leo Messi. Neymar is on the way to be the next best,” said Croatia international Rakitic.

“Barca will do the best thing to sign a new contract with him and maybe they can put a buy-out clause as high as possible, because he will be the next Messi for sure. He’s only 24. He’s really special.”

Neymar is 8/11 to score at any time on Wednesday when Barcelona take on Manchester City in the Champions League. The Catalan giants, who are 7/1 to win the match from behind, are 15/2 to beat the Premier League leaders 2-1.