Manchester United Transfer News: Guillem Balague Fuels Neymar Exit Rumours

Prominent Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has said Neymar is "weighing up" a move to Manchester United as he considers his status at Barcelona, after playing "second fiddle" to Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou.

The journalist told talkSPORT's Sports Bar the Brazilian wizard's path to becoming the world's top superstar is blocked by Messi's grandeur at the Blaugrana, forcing the attacker to look at his options in his quest to improve:

"

Neymar feels if he stays there [Barcelona] he won’t be the number one in the world. 

He has placed himself in the equation [a move to Manchester United] for the last few months. 

Neymar is actually thinking ‘what can I do next?’ because Messi is 28 and he’ll be there for a few more years so Neymar will not be allowed to grow.

"

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Balague added he doesn't feel Neymar is using United as leverage to gain an improved deal at Barcelona, similar to Sergio Ramos' flirtation with the Red Devils in the summer, per talkSPORT, and he will seriously consider the switch to Old Trafford if the benefits to his career are clear.

The Spaniard also said he thinks Barca will struggle to hang on to both Messi and Neymar when it comes to signing new deals, as the sheer size and weight of the contracts could make the pair unaffordable for the treble winners, forcing one of the South Americans out the door. 

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Spanish newspaper Sport (h/t talkSPORT) recently claimed manager Louis van Gaal tabled a world-record bid of £139 million for Neymar, as United laid £280,000-per-week in wages on the table for the Brazil forward.

However, the player's father said Barca knocked back the gigantic offer to take their star and that Neymar is content with matters at the Camp Nou, per Sport: "United phoned Barcelona and got the answer that Neymar has a contract and is not for sale. Everyone is calm. Neymar still has three years on his deal. We are happy. Neymar chose to play here and he is super happy in Barcelona—you can see that."

Despite his comments, Neymar's father suggested a way for the Red Devils to capture his son, according to journalist Rafael Hernandez:

United's £139 million offer would have smashed all existing records and reflects where the club places itself on the global stage. 

The Old Trafford giants have appointed Cliff Baty as their new chief financial officer in an attempt to usurp Real Madrid and Barcelona as the world's richest team, as United believe they will fulfil their financial ambitions in 2016-17, per Mike Keegan of the MailOnline.

United currently have a valuation of £2.03 billion, per Keegan; Barca's worth is currently £2.1 billion, with Real only just on top at £2.17 billion.

A move for Neymar would open up a myriad of doors for the Manchester club, who are desperate to take back the crown that has slipped from their head as England's top team. 

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United recently signed a huge deal with Adidas—worth £750 million over 10 years to the Red Devils—and will collect revenue from English football's huge £5 billion TV deal in 2016, as reported by Keegan.

These sums dictate a move for one of the world's elite players is expected in the near future, rather than simply existing only in the realms of fantasy football.

However, Brazil legend Pele has questioned the value of his countryman Neymar, saying one of his Santos team-mates from his playing career was "10 times better," while suggesting Messi is a modern great. 

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The iconic figure told Placar (h/t Yahoo Sport) that former player Vasconcelos was superior to Neymar:

"

Neymar is a good player, but how many goals has he scored with his head in his life.

Is he an excellent player? He is, but Vasconcelos [Pele's Santos team-mate between 1956 and 1958] was 10 times better than Neymar, without any doubt.

Neymar is an attacker, he plays up front. That is it. He does not track back, does not organise and does not come out to play.

"

Pele chose to praise Messi in the same interview, saying he considers the Argentina captain to be one of the planet's "superior" talents.

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Balague is well known for his strong connections in the Spanish game, and his opinion about Neymar's future will make many football fans sit up and listen.

Neymar is in the shadow of Messi at Barca, and if this fact begins to effect his psychological state, a move to United would be a great solution for all.

United have never replaced Cristiano Ronaldo within their ranks, and with the failed tenure of Angel Di Maria at Old Trafford behind them, a move for a star in Neymar's class bracket cannot be far away.

The money on offer in England is about to explode to unheard of levels in the coming year, and many top players will feel the urge to jump on the Premier League gravy train as a result.