Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
'Neymar was close to joining': Agent reveals huge Manchester United deal was possible
NEYMAR'S agent has revealed the Barcelona ace was close to joining Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
Neymar scores the fastest goal in the history of Olympic football
The 24-year-old was reportedly a target for both clubs as contract talks with the Spanish champions dragged on.
He eventually agreed a new five-year deal which includes a release clause of £169.5m (200m euros) for the first year, rising to £186.4m (220m euros) for the second and £212m (250m euros) for the final three years.
“He was very close to PSG. He would have earned €40m a year, free,” Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil.
Barcelona forward Neymar
“Neymar was also close to a move to Manchester United. But he renewed his contract for less money with Barcelona, because he wanted to stay in Barcelona.”
Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos in 2013 and scored 24 goals last season as they won La Liga.
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?