Brazilian forward, Neymar Júnior is expected to sign a contract extension with the European champions, Barcelona, according to reports.

Neymar, 23, and Barcelona’s former president Josep Maria Bartomeu have apparently already agreed extensions, however due to the board resigning ahead of the presidential elections, the deal will not be announced until after the Copa America.

The new deal when approved by the new Barcelona board is expected to keep the forward at the Nou Camp until 2020, a two-year extension on his current deal. The extension is expected to bump up Neymar’s annual salary to around €12 million per season.

Talks had initially started in 2014 between Barcelona and the 23-year old's representative, Wagner Ribeiro. Advanced negotiations then began when Neymar's father arrived to discuss specific financial details in mid-February.

Brazilian pivotal in Barcelona's front three

Neymar has been well deserving of a new contract based on his performances, as he proved pivotal in securing Barcelona’s second treble in their history. He was a main cog in the deadly front trio of Lionel Messi and new singing Luis Suarez in winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles scoring 39 goals in all competitions during his 51 appearances, recording 11 assists.

He was also the joint top-scorer in the Champions League last season along with teammate Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 10 goals, which included the third and final goal in the final in their 3-1 victory over Juventus. He also shared top scoring honours in the Copa del Rey with Sevilla’s Iago Aspas.

Neymar is also showing his class on the international stage as he was pivotal in Brazil’s opening Copa America game as he scored one and set up Douglas Costa for his late effort to give them a narrow 2-1 victory over Peru

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Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.