MX23RW : Friday, December 13 17:16:35| >> :120:5141:5141:

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:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
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
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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!