By Daniel Edwards
20 Jun 2011 18:09:00
Neymar – Brazil (Getty Images)
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Santos president Luis Alfaro Ribeiro has admitted that there is substantial European interest for his young gem Neymar, and that he will let the 19-year-old talk to suitors after the Copa Libertadores final.
The Brazilians face Penarol in Wednesday’s second leg of the Copa final, hoping to win the tournament for the first time in nearly 50 years in Sao Paulo after a 0-0 draw in Uruguay.
Neymar has been one of the stars of the competition, which has only increased interest from Europe’s top clubs, with Chelsea and Real Madrid believed to be heading the queue.
Santos president Ribeiro affirmed that several other clubs were following the starlet closely.
“It is not just Madrid, a lot of other clubs in Europe have been calling us. It is no surprise, it would be strange if they didn’t want him. If they pay the buy-out clause of €45 million £39.8m and the player wants to go, there is nothing we could do,” Ribeiro said in a press conference held on Monday.
He added, however, that he was confident that Neymar would want to stay in the Vila Belmiro: “The clubs can talk to Neymar after the Libertadores, but I am sure that, if we win the title, the reasons for Neymar to stay will be even stronger.
“I know that dizzying offers will arrive, but the player will earn more if he keeps developing here.”
Success for Santos in Wednesday’s final would mean a place in the Club World Cup this December, as well as guaranteed entry into next year’s Libertadores. Ribeiro outlined the huge project he had planned for his club, and was certain that Neymar would want to be a part of it.
“Next year we celebrate our centenary, we are hopeful of bringing Robinho and Diego back to the club, and of keeping Elano and Ganso, and Neymar could be the biggest star of that movie,” he said.
“Santos will write a page in the history of world football that will change the lives of the footballers involved.”
Santos and Penarol face off on Wednesday.
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Santos admit clubs can talk to Chelsea & Real Madrid target Neymar after Copa Libertadores final