Santos have rejected a second bid from Barcelona for forward Neymar, with the Brazilian club’s asking price set at €50million (Dh236.1m).
Barca are looking to speed up negotiations for the 21-year-old forward as they look to steal a march on rivals Real Madrid as well as Premier League club Chelsea.
Neymar was expected to leave Santos after the World Cup next summer but now looks more likely to be moving when the European transfer window re-opens on July 1.
Barca made an initial €20m (Dh94.4m) approach to Santos in an attempt to secure their 55 per cent portion of the player’s rights earlier this week, a bid that was knocked back.
The Spanish champions offered slightly improved terms on Wednesday but that too has proved unsuccessful. Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues said: “Santos analysed [Barca’s] bid that we received and it doesn’t meet our estimation. It was not accepted.
“We had only one offer on the table [previously] and the club’s committee understands that it is not what we want. Neymar remains part of the club – he has a contract running until 2014.
“Real Madrid are interested, but we only speak about facts.”
Madrid eye the ‘new Iniesta’
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are stepping up their pursuit of Malaga playmaker Isco.
The gifted 21-year-old, who won the 2012 ‘Golden Boy’ award for Europe’s most promising young player, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, who are closing in on the appointment of Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini.
The Andulacian club’s director Francisco Martin Aguilar has admitted the freescoring midfielder’s future with is in doubt, saying: “Real Madrid have a lot of interest in him, but nothing is official.”
The youngster, whose father reportedly met Madrid officials on Wednesday, recently signed a new contract with a €35 million (Dh165m) buy-out clause, and it’s understood any buying club would have to pay the full amount.
And if comments from teammate Weligton are anything to go by, the Malaga players won’t begrudge his exit. The defender said: “It’s the right time for the club to sell Isco, and it’s the right time for Isco to join a better club. For his talent and age, he should make the leap.”
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