Political row threatens Chelsea's bid to land Santos teenage sensation Neymar

09 December 2009 11:40
Centre of attention: Teen star Neymar[LNB]Chelsea target Neymar is at the centre of political battle between the outgoing and incoming presidents at Brazilian club Santos.[LNB] The 17-year-old striker, who has lavishly been compared to Santos heroes Pele and Robinho, is being tracked by Europe's biggest clubs. [LNB]Chelsea were last week linked with a £13.5million move for the teen star and reports in Sao Paulo claimed that the Brazilian club's president Marcelo Teixeira wanted to cash in on the transfer before relinquishing power on December 15. [LNB]Teixeira insists he won't sanction a deal for the youngster or highly rated midfielder Paulo Henrique, but the arrival of new chief Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro could hasten Neymar's move to Europe. [LNB]Luis Alvaro defeated Teixeira in the election after pledging to address club debts of about £9million. [LNB]Selling Neymar, who is 60 per cent owned by the club, could wipe out losses with a single deal. [LNB]Teixeira, after nine years in charge, angrily hit back at rumours he would sell Neymar in a bid to recover the £3.5m he has personally invested during his time at the club. [LNB]'This story is a post-election lie,' he said. 'We wish success to Luis Alvaro, for this is the success of Santos.[LNB] [LNB]  'We will participate in the Deliberative Council, seeing that he fulfills his campaign promises. Remember, Paulo Henrique and Neymar are the result of our excellent work in grassroots football. We did this so that Santos would always strong. [LNB]'We are leaving the club with a squad of quality. It is quite different from when we took over in 2000 when we had 14 players.' [LNB]Neymar has been linked to Arsenal, Manchester United and City, as well as Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona. [LNB]He is already in the Santos first team, scoring nine goals from 12 starts and 18 appearances from the bench in Brazil's Serie A this season.[LNB] He would not be able to register for a team outside Brazil until his 18th birthday in February, but there is already plenty wanting to take him out of South America. [LNB]There is a £27m release clause in his contract, which runs until 2014.  [LNB] Chelsea tracking Santos starlet Neymar as Ancelotti targets the 'new Pele'Valencia determined to keep Man United target Villa in Spain until the summerCarlo on the warpath: Ancelotti rages as Chelsea slump to dismal drawChelsea 2 APOEL Nicosia 2: Essien's hamstring injury is agony to the BluesCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail