Chelsea and Manchester City in £40m battle to sign Neymar

28 June 2011 09:43
ShareChelsea and Manchester City are set to battle it out for the signature of Brazil star Neymar after Santos confirmed the Barclays Premier League rivals have triggered his ?40million release clause. [LNB]Chelsea and City are among five clubs currently speaking to Neymar, with La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala also in the running.[LNB] Flying high: Neymar is set to leave Santos this summer with a number of clubs battling over his signature [LNB] '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,' Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil.[LNB] 'I cannot name them because there is an agreement between Santos and the clubs, but they are the most important European clubs. [LNB] 'They have asked to speak to the player and obviously we've allowed them to. [LNB] All smiles: Neymar (right) shares a joke with former Man City winger Robinho during training for Brazil [LNB]'The clubs have behaved ethically. They sought out Santos first and were willing to pay the clause. With this ethical approach, they can talk to anyone - with Neymar's father, with [agent] Wagner Ribeiro, and with the representatives of Neymar.' [LNB]Neymar, 19, is currently in Argentina preparing for Brazil's assault on this year' Copa America. [LNB]  Hair-raising Neymar tops the Copa bill as new stars descend on ArgentinaNeymar involved in mass brawl as Santos win Copa Libertadores - and Pele says Premier League is too rough!Chelsea and Real in tug of war to sign ?40m-rated Brazilian hotshot Neymar  Explore more:Places: Barcelona, Argentina, Brazil

Source: Daily_Mail