NEYMAR: NO CONTACT WITH BARCA

Young Brazilian forward Neymar has not had any contact with Barcelona following the Club World Cup final.

Reports have surfaced stating that Neymar officially met with Guardiola in order to discuss a potential transfer in the summer or in the January transfer window. However, the 19-year-old star, who is thought to be valued around £ 40 million by his club Santos, has categorically denied making any meetings with the Barcelona manager.

Barcelona are currently in the market for a new striker after David Villa injured himself in the club World Cup semi-final. Even if he returns from injury, it is not thought that David Villa is part of Guardiola’s long-term plans.

A move for Neymar would be a neat fit for Barcelona given that he is very much similar to David Villa in terms of size and play. He would also fit in excellently with Lionel Messi playing on the right, as he prefers to play down the left.

He received the goal of the year award at the ceremony for the Ballon d’Or awards, which was won by Lionel Messi for the third time in his career. Neymar beat the likes of Manchester United player Wayne Rooney and Barcelona star Lionel Messi to this award, though it was well deserved according to a in-play football betting site.

At this awards function, Neymar claimed that he had not met with Guardiola. “I did not meet with Barcelona. I keep being a player of Santos. It is possible that my father saw them in Zurich. Dani Alves has said good things about Barca and Marcelo about Real Madrid. Each player defends their club,” he told AS.

Neymar has a contract with Santos until 2015 and is thought to have a release clause of around £ 37 million inserted into his contract. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all expressed their interest in the player.