Sao Paulo, March 28 (IANS): Brazilian football ace Neymar has put to rest all speculation about his move to Manchester United saying he would stay at FC Barcelona amid rumours in Spain that the mercurial forward might move to England.
A report from the Sport daily in Spain stated that Manchester United will offer Barcelona a world-record breaking transfer fee of 200 million euros (around $217 million) to buy the 25-year-old. It was also reported that the former Brazil captain has been offered in excess of 25 million euros ($27.1 million) per season.
“My dream was to play at Barcelona. When I was a boy that was all I wanted. And the most important thing about playing for Barcdlona is that I’m making my childhood dream come true,” Neymar was quoted as saying by El Mundo Deportivo on Monday.
The Brazilian Olympic gold winner turned down an offer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, before extending his contract until June 2021 with the Catalan giants.
Asked about clubmate and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s stay at the club, Neymar remained positive that he will stay.
“Messi will renew because he is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi,” Neymar said.
Neymar was brilliant in his team’s 6-1 win over PSG that saw them progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League 6-5 on aggregate. He netted twice.
“It was unique,” the former Santos player said. “I experienced that game as though I was doing the impossible.
“We went through an impressive moment in a short space of time, hence the euphoria.
“I think we can win the treble provided we are concentrated and happy,” Neymar said.
Neymar signed off by adding that coach Luis Enrique helped them grow as a unit.
“He helped us a lot throughout these seasons,” Neymar said of Enrique, who won’t remain Barcelona coach next season. “He made us grow and win many titles.”
