Neymar Sr: Real Madrid tried to sign my son

Real Madrid were preparing to try and sign FC Barcelona's Brazilian striker Neymar before he signed a new contract with the club in October, according to the player's father.

Speaking to the Barcelona based 'El Mundo Deportivo' newspaper, Neymar Senior confirmed that "Real Madrid showed their interest through intermediaries" before his son signed a new deal extending his stay at the Camp Nou until 2021 and progressively raising his buyout clause to 250 million euros (around 280 million US dollars).

Neymar's father insisted that his son was never informed of the interest.

"The offers didn't reach him; they came to me. I know what Neymar wanted and that was to stay," he said, adding that in order to get Neymar Jr away from Barcelona, "you have to try to take away the happiness that he has here."

"If he wanted to chase financial benefits, everyone knows he would not be at Barca. But Neymar is happy where he is and has made some strong friendships."

Neymar Sr nevertheless highlighted the cost of prizing the 24-year-old away from the club he joined in 2013.

"I always said the same thing to everyone: if Neymar leaves Barca, you have to pay the 190 million (euros) release clause, plus the taxes on that money. And with everything else, it would end up being 430m (euros)," he explained. Endit