Neymar is not headed to Barcelona. At least not for now. The youngster's club Santos has recently stated that it intends to sell the Brazilian star during the summer.
Neymar was rumored as moving to Barcelona, but he is under contract until 2014 and remains controlled by the club. Since it is clear that Neymar wants to leave, the team has decided that it will start to take offers for him instead of simply letting him leave of his own accord.
"Our intention has been for him to stay beyond 2014. But he thinks his time at Santos and in Brazil is at an end," said Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues. "Now's the time for the speculation to start and for offers to come in. If they arrive, both Neymar and ourselves will have decisions to make."
According to British publication The Sun, Neymar is prorated at 32 million pounds. Among the teams in contention for his services are Chelsea, Manchester City, and Barcelona.
The latter team has been heavily linked with the youngster for weeks with team representatives claiming a desire to sign the Brazilian phenom. Barcelona is extremely interested in Neymar. He's on top of our wish list. Barcelona does not sign many players, but Neymar is our first choice. We will be ready to pounce whenever he decides to leave," said Barcelona representative Andre Cury in a radio interview. "Messi, Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta are all awaiting him with open arms. Neymar coming to Barcelona will put an end to two types of over-dependence: dependence on Neymar at Santos and over-dependence on Messi at Barcelona as we would then have another player at his level."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
