Santos are expecting a tough battle for their teen sensation Neymar when he prepare to leaves the club in 2014. The Campeonato Paulista player of the year 2011 has consistently been linked with a move to Spain with Barcelona now emerging as his most probable destination.
In fact, reports doing the rounds suggest that the Catalan giants had already struck a preliminary agreement worth 10 million Euros to sign the star earlier than 2014.
The rumours have been fueled by Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro’s close friendship with Barcelona President Sandro Rosell. Santos President Ribeiro went further to say that his friendship will Rosell would not give Barcelona any advantage.
“Barca do not have any first option on Neymar,” Ribeiro told RAC1. “I can assure he’ll stay until 2014, then a war will start. In 2014, his contract will be up and he can sign for another club if he so chooses.
In 2014, Neymar will only be 22 still relatively young for a player who started making headlines 3 years ago. Frankly speaking, Neymar’s decision to stay with Santos until 2014 is the best choice for him right now.
There have been many talents that have been wasted due to an over eagerness among player’s agents and the club’s who are quick to cash in and profit without putting the players’ interests first.
A good example that comes to mind in Brazilian forward Keirrison. The 23 year old forward once touted as a replacement for the legendary Ronaldo signed for Barcelona in 2009 and left a year later after he failed to make any appearances for the Catalans.
He was loaned out to Benfica where he again failed to feature for the Portuguese side before moving onto to Italy and finally back to his native Brazil where he joined Cruziero for the remainder of the 2011 season.
It is this worry that has even got Pele speaking on the matter urging Neymar to stay in Brazil until he is ready to move to Europe.
“He’s very young, at 19. I felt to sell now was to sell the future. All the fans in Brazil love him and that is a priceless heritage for Barca and so we made every possible sacrifice for continuity – rejecting offers, even millions.” Ribeiro concluded.
Being a fan of Brazilian football, I will definitely will be keeping an eye on the Neymar saga, however, if it was upto me, i think a move to Madrid would be the better option.
Photo Credit © Suelen32
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