Neymar’s father has claimed Manchester United offered Barcelona €190 million
to sign the Brazil captain in the off-season.
Reports in August claimed the Premier League heavyweights were prepared to
meet Neymar’s buyout clause, a figure that would make the 23-year-old the
most expensive player ever had he opted to leave.
The former Santos forward remained at Barca, though, and has again shone
alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as Luis Enrique’s men seek to defend
the treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League they won last term.
Neymar’s father on Thursday gave an interview to a radio station claiming
Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils did indeed attempt to prise the Selecao talisman
away from Camp Nou.
“Man United is the side that offered €190m for Neymar [to] move,” he told
Esports Cope.
“He has still two years of contract … you all can be calmed as my son is so
happy here.”
Neymar appeared in a Spanish court on Tuesday to testify over allegations of
fraud brought by Brazilian investment fund DIS in relation to his transfer to
Barca in 2013.
The Sao Paulo public prosecution office (MPF) in Brazil meanwhile have
recommended Neymar, Neymar Sr, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and
his predecessor Sandro Rosell are charged over alleged tax evasion relating
to the move from Santos.
“We are calmed and optimistic,” Neymar Sr added.
“We are just telling the truth.”
No formal charges have been brought in the Spanish investigation, while
Neymar, Neymar Sr and Barcelona have all denied any wrongdoing in both cases.
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