Barca move on the cards for Neymar as Santos accept two bids for Brazil sensation

By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 19:55 EST, 24 May 2013 | UPDATED: 01:27 EST, 25 May 2013

Neymar appears to be moving closer to joining Barcelona after his club Santos announced they had accepted two bids for the Brazil forward.

Santos did not name the two clubs involved, but they are widely assumed to be Barca and Real Madrid, with a move to the Catalan club thought by many to be a foregone conclusion.

A statement on the Santos website read: 'Santos FC announces that it has received two proposals for the athlete Neymar da Silva Santos Junior.

Heading off: Santos have accepted two offers for 21-year-old Neymar (right)

Heading off: Santos have accepted two offers for 21-year-old Neymar (right)

'Given the offers and conditions of the player's contract, the management committee of the club decided to transfer the player.

'Neymar Jr and his father are expected in Belmiro to choose which proposal the athlete will accept.'

Neymar's contract expires at the end of next season and some reports had suggested an agreement with Barcelona was as good as signed.

But the striker insisted he would not be rushed into making a decision.

'This is an honour, the happiest moment of my life,' he was quoted as saying on globoesporte.globo.com. 'I will now think carefully about these two proposals.

'I will decide with my family. I'm in no hurry. The decision may come out in five minutes, half an hour or three days.'

In demand: The offers for Neymar are assumed to be from Barcelona and Real Madrid

In demand: The offers for Neymar are assumed to be from Barcelona and Real Madrid

His father Neymar da Silva Sr, who also acts as his manager, added: 'Now we will go home, sit down and talk. We could not make a decision in the heat of the moment. Let's talk and see what Neymar wants.'

Neymar, who has already played more than 30 games for his country, has spent his whole career at Santos, who have repeatedly fended off interest from a host of European clubs.

Barca have long been on his tail, while Chelsea's interest has been rebuffed in the past.

All previous indications were that Neymar would join Barca, though he had also suggested previously that he would remain in Brazil until after next year's World Cup in the country.

Santos vice president Odilio Rodrigues said: 'We did everything in our power to keep Neymar in Santos.'

Any transfer could be complicated by the complex nature of Neymar's ownership arrangement, with various investment groups holding a stake in the player as well as the club.

Home hero: Neymar (right) has spent his whole career at Santos and has won 32 caps for his country

Home hero: Neymar (right) has spent his whole career at Santos and has won 32 caps for his country

 

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I thought FIFA outlawed third party ownership? Or does that only count when it involves an English team?

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His price is $28M, so he is cheaper than Torres, Carroll, James Rodriguez, Sanchez, Hulk, Witsel, Pastore etc. So even if he plays badly the amount of money is reasonable. Don't forget that Monaco just paid $45M for James Rodrigues he is definietly already a flop.

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too overrated imho

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Why I think this is not going to work for FC Barcelona?

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What a waste of money. If neymar cud become todays nani I wud thnk dat will b a grt signing for barca. Lol they bought neymar thinkng they wud get anothr messi lol. Tom ince nd zaha miles bettr then neymar. Barca will jus pay huge money for his hairstyle rathr then talent. Deserves to play somewher in middle east league.

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Damiao and Hulk would be far better than Neymar in the Prem so no loss there in him going to Spain.

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Barcelona, yeh but not Real Madrid. I think the other bid is actually from Man City.

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You find though when players go for big money into LaLiga the other defenders are scared to touch them. The difference in money is so large between the top and bottom an injury to Neymar/Messi/Ronaldo could actually cost more than the club that the defender is playing for. They are already great players and THEN they get an extra yard too.

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His presence will be recognized and appreciated more in Real madrid than Barcelona. In the later messi has more years than Ronaldo and will over shadow Neymar more.

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He is a bit overrated , only in the way of being as good as Messi and CR7 . He's better than Robinho was , his stats are better than CR7's . He does play in a league not as good as BPL and La Liga but there are good teams there too . Give him a year or two in Europe and I'm sure he could become one of europe's stars ; but only if he wants too and gets the chance ! If he wasn't so expensive I think a team like Arsenal would fit him perfect

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