Manchester City Transfer News: Fresh Neymar Rumours, Latest Sky Blues Talk

Manchester City and Manchester United were both willing to trigger Barcelona superstar Neymar's £170 million release clause this summer, according to reports from Spain.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star) reported the Sky Blues and Red Devils made serious approaches for the Brazilian icon and were prepared to trigger his gargantuan release fee to secure a transfer.

The newspaper also wrote that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain "were both willing to splash the cash" to ensure Neymar joined their clubs. However, Barca offered the attacker a new deal to tie him to the Camp Nou, and he opted to put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

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Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, recently confirmed there was solid interest in the forward during the recent transfer window.

According to ESPN Brazil (h/t Wood), the representative said: "He [Neymar] was close to joining PSG. He would have earned €40m (£34m) a year net. Neymar was also close to a spell at Manchester United, but he extended his contract to earn less at Barcelona because he wanted to stay at Barcelona."

After a conservative start to his Barca career, the player has blossomed into one of the greatest talents on the planet and was shortlisted with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2015 Ballon d'Or. The nomination was recognition for the maturity Neymar has attained in Catalonia as he grows out of the shadow of his esteemed team-mate from Argentina.

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Neymar has posted an impressive set of numbers for the Blaugrana during his career in Spain:

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2013-14	19(7)	1742	9	8
2014-15	29(4)	2573	22	7
2015-16	34	3057	24	12
2016-17	5	450	4	1

Here is the player in action, showing the skill that has brought him fame and fortune:

If Neymar does end up on the market in the years ahead, it is unimaginable to think City manager Pep Guardiola will not make a move as he attempts to turn his side into UEFA Champions League winners.

The Spaniard has arrived at the Etihad Stadium to win the game's biggest trophies, and Neymar is one of the few players in Europe who would certainly strengthen his starting XI.

United continue to rebuild under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, and Neymar would be a playing and commercial success for the fallen giants—who have already broken the world-record transfer fee to capture Paul Pogba from Juventus.

Adding Neymar to the United squad would give Mourinho incredible leverage in the Premier League, forcing City to go back in for the Brazilian if Barca opt to sell.