MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 12:43:35| >> :120:10731:10731:

Father: 'Real Madrid were interested in Neymar'

The father of Barcelona forward Neymar reveals that Real Madrid were interested in poaching the Brazilian from their arch rivals before he signed a new deal last month.

Neymar's father has claimed that Real Madrid were interested in signing the Brazilian from arch rivals Barcelona before he agreed a new contract last month.

The 24-year-old recently committed his future to the Spanish champions by signing a new five-year deal that will keep him at Camp Nou until 2021.

However, the forward's father has claimed that Madrid were looking at a sensational swoop before Neymar decided to remain with Luis Enrique's side.

"Madrid were interested through intermediaries. I always said the same thing to everyone: if Neymar leaves Barca, you have to pay the €190m [£181m] release clause, plus the taxes on that money. And with everything else, it would end up being €430m [£374m]," Neymar Sr told Mundo Deportivo.

"I had a lot of people in my office in Brazil: sponsors, people keen to support the Neymar Institute ... and of course, some people come to know if Neymar has a future at another club. But I'm very clear on this: To get him away from Barcelona, you have to try to take away the happiness that he has here. If he wanted to chase financial benefits, everyone knows he would not be at Barca. But Neymar is happy where he is and has made some strong friendships.

"Neymar never had any doubts about staying. The only doubts there could have been were on my part, as a businessman and his representative, but I didn't have any doubts, either, because I know him and I know he's really happy here. As much as I want to be a successful businessman and make money, what interests me more is my son's happiness."

Neymar's new deal includes a buyout clause of £181m for the first year, £200m for the second year and £226m for the remaining three years.

ID:285060: cacheID:285060:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2873:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
God-fearing Neymar celebrates the eighth during the La Liga game between Deportivo La Coruna and Barcelona on April 20, 2016
Read Next:
Neymar father: 'No chance of Madrid switch'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria31111193062-3214


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!