Manchester United Transfer News: Neymar 'Conversation' Reported, Latest Rumours

Manchester United's links with Barcelona star Neymar are not going away, with the latest reports indicating there has been a dialogue between the Red Devils and the Brazilian recently.

Rumours in the summer indicated that United launched a big-money move for Neymar, reports that were eventually confirmed by the forward's father, Neymar Sr, per Brazilian outlet Boa Tarde Fox (h/t Sky Sports).

The interest seemingly still remains from both sides, with Marca's Luis Rojo reporting that "there has been the odd conversation with Manchester United" while Barca have been trying to tie Neymar to a new contract at the Camp Nou.

Neymar's current deal expires in 2018 and Rojo's report indicates that the 23-year-old is stalling on signing a new contract in an attempt to increase his terms.

He has proven this season that he is all but irreplaceable at the Camp Nou.

In the absence of the injured Lionel Messi, he has taken up the mantle of Barca's key attacker, netting 10 times and providing six assists in his last 10 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com.

As noted by Spanish football expert Dermot Corrigan, his place on the podium for this year's Ballon d'Or—likely alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—is all but guaranteed, and he could perhaps be in line to win it:

United will likely be given confidence by the fact that Barcelona have yet to tie the Brazil captain to a new contract.

The Catalans are currently prevented from offering Neymar the money he is perhaps asking for as their wage bill already exceeds FIFA regulations, per Ignasi Oliva of Goal.

With his incredible performances on the pitch, though, Neymar's leverage with Barca becomes greater and greater.

United likely have the spending power to offer him an astronomical contract as well as an enormous transfer fee.

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Summer reports suggested that United offered Barca £140 million for Neymar, per Brazil outlet GloboEsporte (h/t the Mirror).

United are clearly looking to add a superstar to their ranks, but they have once again been dealt a blow recently in their reported pursuit of Ronaldo, per Vaishali Bhardwaj in the Evening Standard.

However, if they could sign Neymar, he could be the central figure for United for the next decade and potentially the star they need to propel them back to the top of European football.