Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Neymar aren’t going anywhere this summer, calling the exit of any of the three “impossible” on Wednesday.
The trio, known collectively as “MSN,” led Barcelona to a domestic double of La Liga and Copa del Rey titles this campaign, after last season firing the Blaugrana to the Treble.
Their success, however, has led to interest from other clubs — particularly for Neymar, whose contract renewal talks had been put on hold due to the Brazilian captain’s recent tax issues — with rumours circulating the club could not afford all three.
On the heels of a world record kit sponsorship deal with Nike, Bartomeu, however, insisted no departures would be taking place.
“No, I think it’s impossible,” he told French radio station RMC.
“All our players are very happy with our club and our city because it is very pleasant to live there.
“The players are very happy to be in a club that wins. I’m not afraid because everyone is happy, nobody asked me to leave.
“I read the press and all the media. There are many clubs in the world that would have players of Barcelona — it’s normal, they are very good.
“[But] they told us they were feeling very good in Barcelona and we now prepare for next season.”
Barcelona won their last six games of the season, scoring 26 goals and not conceding, but the Barcelona president believes that the squad will still see personnel changes in the summer.
“Everyone thinks that Barca don’t need to sign anyone, but every summer there are changes. We’re a club that needs alterations — it’s the managers and the technicians who ask for them.
“There’s always something to be done. To see new names is good for the image of the club.”
French playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa has been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou in the summer, but Bartomeu refused to be comment on individual rumours.
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