Neymar on the move: Five clubs meet release fee

Santos club president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro confirmed that no fewer than 5 clubs have met the price tag of €45million for Brazilian starlet Neymar, specified in the release clause as the amount required to allow the player negotiate with other clubs.

“We don’t want to sell the player, but of course there is a release clause in his contract that can be paid and five European clubs have offered to match the clause,” Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil.

“I cannot name them because there is an agreement between Santos and the clubs, but they are the most important European clubs.” he continued.

What colours will Neymar be donning next season?

While he did not reveal the clubs’ identities, the clubs who are rumoured to have met the fee are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and, puzzlingly, Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Real Madrid is said to be the player’s favoured destination, while Chelsea have also held a long-standing interest in the player, dating back a year. Barcelona’s alleged bid is slightly more surprising, given they have been heavily linked with Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez; If Barcelona have indeed bid for the Brazilian, then Sanchez might well be looking at a move to Manchester City. It is unlikely that Neymar himself will make the trip to the blue half of Manchester. His pay package at Eastlands could dwarf that on offer anywhere else, but given the failure of his boyhood idol Robinho at City, he won’t be particularly excited by this proposal. In any case, he previously hinted that Spain would be his preferred destination, putting Real and Barca at the head of the queue for the World Football’s current hottest property.

Earlier this week, however, there were indications pointing towards Neymar staying at Santos

It will be interesting to see where this sensational player ends up plying his trade. Although, if i was a betting man, I wouldn’t put my money on Neymar turning out un Anzhi Makhachkala’s colours next season.

rid €45million