Neymar's Father Confirms Massive Manchester United Bid for Barcelona Star

Manchester United made a staggering €190 million (£144 million) offer for Neymar last summer, according to the player’s father.

Speaking with COPE (h/t George Ankers of Goal), Neymar Sr. revealed the identity of the side who had made the big money bid for his son, with Catalunya Radio (h/t Sport) claiming he’d stated in court this week that there had been a “mega offer” for the Brazil international.

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“Manchester United is the side that offered €190 million for Neymar,” he told COPE. “He has still two years left on his contract but you all [the media] can be calm as my son is so happy here.”

Although there’s been a lot of stories swirling around Neymar off the field, on it he’s been nothing short of majestic. Here is a look at some of the standout moments from his season so far:

Ankers writes the Red Devils were ready to pay the amount and activate the forward’s release clause in his current contract, although it seems as though neither the player nor his father, who also acts as his agent, gave the Premier League side any encouragement over a potential deal.

Now it seems as though the former Santos man is going to agree a new deal with Barcelona. That’ll be music to the ears of the Camp Nou crowd because Neymar is quickly cementing his spot among the elite players of this generation.

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Indeed, Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez feels as though at the moment, the Blaugrana are in possession of the three finest players on the planet in Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez:

There are obvious draws Manchester United have. They are one of the biggest clubs in European football playing in the most competitive league on the planet. Old Trafford is a brilliant arena to play football in, too, and if Neymar was to move to the club, he wouldn’t have to share the spotlight with two other superstars, as he does at the Camp Nou.

However, the Red Devils aren’t enjoying the most prosperous spell in their distinguished history. They’re currently in fifth place in the table and look a long way off challenging for major honours at this juncture.

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As such, Dominic King of the Daily Mail recently summed up how any potential negotiations between Neymar and the Red Devils might go:

Neymar doesn’t seem to be overly motivated by lucrative factors. United could surely match any salary Barcelona would put on the table and, given their status as a football superpower, will always seek to pursue the best players in the world. But the game has moved on in the last few seasons, and the Brazilian is a footballer beyond their considerable reach.

There’s a clear enjoyment when it comes to Neymar’s football at the Camp Nou, something that is especially prevalent when he’s turning in his best performances. As crucial as money and silverware are in the game, that clear contentedness is something to cherish and something the Brazilian is set to enjoy for a long time yet.