Transfer news: Neymar crushes Man City, Man United dreams after signing extension with Barca

There will be no transfers for Neymar this summer after he signed a new five-year deal with Barcelona this week, crushing the hopes of Manchester City and Manchester United of bringing the Brazilian striker to the English Premier League.

Neymar has agreed to a contract extension with Barcelona that would see the 24-year-old Brazilian at Camp Nou until 2021, according to ESPN Brasil as translated by ESPN FC. The report revealed that the new contract was signed in December last year when Barcelona was in Japan for the Club World Cup, but the announcement was delayed because of Neymar’s tax cases with Spanish and Brazilian authorities.

The Brazilian forward was heavily linked to a move at Old Trafford in the summer after Neymar’s father Neymar Sr. claimed that his son would not sign an extension with the Catalan club until he gets tax stability in Spain. Earlier this month, Neymar’s future with Barca was in limbo after his father revealed during a court trial over allegations of tax evasion that an unnamed club had tried to offer the Brazilian international a massive transfer deal worth £144.4 million, according to Catalunya Radio.

Meanwhile, City was also one of the favourites to land Neymar in the next transfer had he opted to seek out his contract with the Spanish giants. Incoming City boss Pep Guardiola could have been the factor drawing Neymar to join the Sky Blues after the Barca striker commented about how he wanted to play for the 44-year-old Spaniard.

"Guardiola is a guy that I really admire and who I would love to work with," Neymar said, reports Sky Sports.

It would have been exciting to see Neymar play in the EPL and go against the top footballers in the league, but his recent commitment with the La Liga side would likely give fans more action from Barca’s trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez.