The future of the 19-year-old Santos forward has been subject of incessant speculation this summer, with Real Madrid the favourites to clinch his signing.
But the forward's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, insists a move to Madrid - reportedly long-standing admirers of the player - is Neymar's preference, but that Barcelona are now making their presence felt.
Ribeiro told www.as.com: "The exact situation is as follows: Barcelona want him next year and will pay next year, Madrid want him now and are prepared to pay now.
"The main problem is that the kid (Neymar) wants to play in the Club World Cup against Barcelona, and Santos are using their force to make him choose Barca.
"The numbers being talked about by both clubs (Madrid and Barcelona) are good, but Neymar would prefer a move to Madrid."
Ribeiro insists Neymar will make a final decision once Brazil's involvement in the Copa America is at an end.
Ribeiro claims that Pep Guardiola is prepared to wait until Libertadores winners Santos have competed in the Club World Cup in December, which would enable the Brazil club's president Luis Alvaro De Oliveira to honour a pledge he made that Neymar would lead the team at the tournament in Japan before moving to Europe.
Such a position would be favourable to Neymar's current club and such flexibility could see the European champions win the race for the forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment