• Premier League

Chelsea drop Neymar pursuit over £41m price tag

ESPN staff
June 16, 2011
Neymar is tipped to be the star of Brazilian football © PA Photos
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Chelsea have told Brazilian club Santos that Neymar is far too costly at £41 million and that, as it stands, they have no intention of meeting the player's buy-out clause.

Unless Santos drop their price, then Chelsea will not continue a two-year pursuit of the Brazilian who has scored three times in his first five internationals for his country.

Super agent Pini Zahvai, a close consort of Roman Abramovich is authorised to act for Neymar in any European transfer and is widely reported in Brazil to be heading to Rio this weekend to conclude a deal with Chelsea - however, ESPNsoccernet has learned that a move for Neymar has stalled over the price.

Zahavi is sure to be in Brazil at the weekend, but it is no more than a routine visit and a deal for Neymar is some way off.

The ESPNsoccernet source confided on Thursday that Santos will only accept the full amount of €45 million, and Chelsea would never pay so much for a 19-year-old unproven in English football.

Real Madrid want Neymar, but they too are baulking at the asking price. Chelsea haven't given up that Santos will finally negotiate a more reasonable fee.

Manchester City would pay the full amount, but ESPNsoccernet has been told that Neymar will not go there, favouring Real Madrid or Chelsea.

Another complication is the strong suggestion that if Santos win the Copa Libertadores then Neymar wants to stay on to play at the FIFA Club World and they began their double-headed final with a good result, a 0-0 draw away to Penarol.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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