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Barcelona transfer news: Barca deal rejected over historic Neymar 'debt'
BARCELONA have seen an offer for Santos star Rodrygo rejected over a reported debt still to be paid from their Neymar deal.
Barcelona want to sign Santos ace Rodrygo
Barcelona signed Neymar in 2013 under controversial circumstances.
The club claimed the deal was worth £49m at the time - but subsequent reports have suggested the deal was much higher.
Santos supposedly believe they are still owed £12.7m from the deal.
And they are refusing to do business with Barcelona over a deal for 17-year-old Rodrygo until the alleged debt is paid.
Santos are determined to retain Rodrygo
That is according to Santos president Jose Carlos Peres, who Football Espana claim has confirmed they will not negotiate with Barca.
Teenager Rodrygo boasts four caps for Brazil U17s and only made his Santos debut last year.
The forward is seen as a hot prospect for the future and Santos are determined to keep him in Brazil.
He was linked with a move to Liverpool last year.
Santos allege they are still owed money from Barcelona over the sale of Neymar
As for Neymar, Barcelona - who dispute Santos’ claims - sold the Brazilian to PSG last summer in a £200m hostile transfer.
The club desperately tried to hold on to the 26-year-old but were forced to accept PSG’s full payment last August when the French side triggered Neymar’s release clause.