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Neymar Is 'Really Happy' at Barcelona Amid PSG Transfer Rumours, Says Jordi Alba

Tom Sunderland

Barcelona superstar Neymar remains "really happy" at the Camp Nou despite rumours of a world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to team-mate Jordi Alba. 

Speculation has emerged in recent weeks suggesting Neymar could join PSG in a €222 million deal, but Alba has been quoted by Spanish daily Marca insisting the Brazilian is content (h/t Football Espana):

“I can't tell you anything because I don't know if they've spoken about it. I don't think it's a joke, I hope not.

“Neymar is a Barcelona player until proven otherwise; he's relaxed. There's a lot of talk about all this, but we're calm about it in the dressing room. He's really happy here.

“I don't have to convince anyone of anything. This is the best club in the world."

Alba's comments came after Barcelona defender Gerard Pique tweeted an image of he and Neymar with the caption "Se queda," which the Press Association translated to mean "He stays" (h/t Guardian):

The eye-watering fee is the value of Neymar's buyout clause and would almost definitely need to be activated before the Blaugrana consider selling one of their most precious assets.

Spain international Alba hardly gave a confident view that the 25-year-old will remain at Barca, instead leaving his team-mate's future up for discussion:

“Every player has their own opinion and whatever they do should be respected. But we're talking about speculation; [Neymar] is still a Barca player. We hope to have him here for many years.

“Each person knows what they want, and it's not for me to convince anyone. Everyone makes their own decisions. I won't get involved."

What could turn into one of the most important transfer sagas in memory has quickly escalated in recent days, largely thanks to the fact Neymar is yet to personally indicate where his heart lies.

French titans PSG can't be dismissed, either, regardless of how revered Barca may be in their reputation for retaining top talent, and French daily L'Equipe recently illustrated how the deal may materialise, via Sport Witness:

In truth, Alba's comments likely won't reassure many fans at the Camp Nou, and while Neymar may be "really happy" in Catalonia, the money he could earn in Ligue 1 would likely make him happy in Paris, too.

There, he could expect to be the focal point and no longer settle for being "uncomfortable" in Lionel Messi's shadow, as was recently suggested by Sport.

   

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