The Barcelona star striker was recently linked with the English Premier League giants Manchester United and the 23-year-old Brazilian’s father had confirmed that the Red devils side made the summer bid for him.
United launched an audacious attempt to lure Neymar to Old Trafford in the summer but Neymar Snr. insists the Spanish champions had no intention of selling.
Now, the 23-year-old’s father, Neymar da Silva Santos, has confirmed an official transfer offer was made but admitted that the Spanish league champions were intent on not selling one of their prize assets.
Brazil’s captain is currently in talks to sign a long-term extension to his current deal at Camp Nou, with a final agreement likely at the start of 2016.
But on Thursday evening, Nyman Snr revealed that rumours which had linked Louis Van Gaal’s team to a move for his son were accurate.
The offer reached Barcelona and the club contacted us saying they were not going to sell [Neymar],” he told Boa Tarde Fox
“They asked if we were interested, but that wasn’t the case. Barcelona is not selling, he has three years still to go on his contract.
“It was Manchester’s deal, but that offer is not on the table now, it has fallen through.”
Manchester United mounted a widespread, and at times desperate search for a striker after letting both Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao leave the club, and along with Neymar they were linked with the likes of Thomas Muller, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
However, they eventually sealed a record signing for Monaco’s Anthony Martial in the most expensive fee ever paid for a teenager, but it was reported that a bid had gone into Barcelona to try and tempt them to sell the Brazil international and the player himself had already confirmed that talks did take place.
Neymar Jr. has scored 58 goals in 100 appearances with the Spanish Champions Barcelona and in and his current performance in 2015-2016 season four goals in six appearances.
Manchester United had hope that Neymar could be persuaded to the Premier League by the chance to become the main man on the field at Old Trafford, rather than play second fiddle to Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou.
However, in an admission that will disappoint Manchester United fans somewhat, Neymar Snr added that the interest in Neymar fell away after the bid was rejected, and he refused to talk about his son’s future beyond the current season with the Catalan side.