If it happens, the deal will be the transfer of the summer. Barcelona’s talented Brazilian striker, Neymar Jr, 24, is at the centre of intense speculation that three of the world’s biggest clubs are prepared to trigger his release clause of €200m.
The player’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, claimed on Brazilian radio station, Radio Jovem Pan, that both Manchester City and Manchester United were ready to rival Paris St. Germain for Neymar, Jr’s signature.
Ribeiro stated, “Today there are three big clubs in the world who want to hire Neymar and pay the clause of €200million to Barcelona.”
When pushed on the subject, the agent refused to elaborate, claiming that “it is a sensitive subject.”
It may prove a timely exit with the striker the latest Barcelona to face an inquisition from the Spanish tax authorities. Barcelona recently paid a €5m fine over the matter but the player may still face a similar trial to Lionel Messi.
Details emerged recently of Neymar Jr’s contract with the Catalans and none of the three clubs will have trouble significantly improving his £80,000 per week basic salary. Bonuses for winning trophies and learning Spanish, see that effectively rise to £140,000 per week which is still considerably lower than the top earners at the three clubs take home.
Coincidentally, Ribeiro is currently in negotiations over a new contract for his client so the speculation proves beneficial during talks.
Even so, it may be time for the junior member of the fabled MSN strikeforce to spread his wings and become the star player for another club.
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