Dani Carvajal Says Neymar Once Told Him He'd Sign for Real Madrid Amid Rumours

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal has said Paris Saint-Germain forward and frequently linked superstar Neymar once told him he would join Los Blancos while training with the club as a youngster. 

Neymar spent time in Real's academy on trial in 2006, and Carvajal—who is one month older than the Brazilian—recalled his comments professing his intention to play for the Madrid giants.

He told Libero (h/t Goal's Joe Wright): "I remember Neymar perfectly well in the youth team. He told us that he was going to stay and we all lifted him up and celebrated with him."

Neymar instead left Santos to join Real's fiercest rivals, Barcelona, in 2013. He spent four years at the Camp Nou before more than doubling the world transfer record to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a €222 million deal.

However, Real could spend their funds more wisely if they want to invest in a PSG powerhouse, according to French football writer Jeremy Smith:

There have been reports over the past year that Neymar isn't as settled in the French capital. There were also alleged squad scuffles and an apparent divide in the team, but Edinson Cavani told RMC Sport (h/t Sky Sports) in May that he and Neymar had now reached peace.

It was around that time, prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, that reports were gathering momentum that Neymar could indeed leave the Parc des Princes after only one season, via ESPN FC:

More recently, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had his own take when asked by Marcahow he deals with the rumours linking Neymar with a move to Real:

"It's a bit frustrating if we're being realistic because it's not fair for other clubs or anyone to speak with our players. We don't like it at all and we spoke about it with Real Madrid at one moment.

"We have a good relationship with them and they respect PSG, and I hope that this is true. We respect Real Madrid and their president Florentino Perez. I think it's important for everyone that we don't work behind the scenes.

"If there is something there then it's better that we speak, whether that's speaking with Florentino Perez or whoever and then saying what we like and what we don't like. That's what we expect of all clubs, not only Real Madrid."

Real are still feeling the effects of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the club, and broadcaster Deji Faremi noted how Mariano Diaz, whom they bought back from Lyon this summer, wasn't exactly a Galactico-level signing:

Regardless of what he told Carvajal as a 14-year-old, the sad truth for Neymar is that his £200 million move to PSG may have blocked the route to Real as much as anything else. Any club now hoping to sign him would need to either beat that fee or wait until he's available closer to the end of his contract.

It would be a long wait considering the Brazilian has another three-and-a-half years to run on his PSG deal, but that could be the patience required if Neymar is to fulfil his prophecy.