Barcelona are considering selling Neymar this summer because they cannot afford to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
The Spanish giants are desperate to keep hold of the Brazilian superstar who has a £144million buy-out clause in his existing contract at the Nou Camp.
But Neymar is looking for a dramtic increase in the £77,000-a-week salary he currently earns, with Manchester United already making it clear they would hand him a £300,000-a-week deal to move to Old Trafford
Barcelona know they have to improve the contract of the South American, but they fear breaking the bank would leave them crippled financially.
At present Barca do not have a shirt sponsor, and already saddled with large debts they are reluctant to commit to a bumper deal for Neymar.
Writing on Sky Sports, Spanish expert Guillem Balague said: “It has been a fascinating story all season, a new twist to it happened this week. Two Catalan newspapers started a sort of campaign against Neymar, and those things never take place by chance.
“It seems the club was not fully unhappy that the papers have suggested Neymar’s lifestyle is not ideal for a elite player and some of his team mates are not happy with that.
“It coincided with Barcelona’s defeats and of course with the fact that the club has not sorted out yet a sponsor for next season.
“And without an sponsor they cannot realistically afford the renewal of Neymar, plus the consequent ones of Messi and then Luis Suarez.
“Is the club trying to put Neymar for sale? Not fully, but they are preparing the way in case they have to. The player’s side has got a clear timing. His contract will be renewed, they say, at some point this year.
“But the club is scared that might take the debt to new highs. He has flirted with the Premier League, but he wants to stay.”
United have already made it clear to the Neymar camp that they would meety his buy-out clause, but any hopes of securing his services would hinder on whether they could offer Champions League football.
And French giants PSG are now considering switching attention to Neymar having reached a dead end in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
