By Laure James

PUBLISHED: 05:34 EST, 23 December 2012 | UPDATED: 05:37 EST, 23 December 2012


Manchester City are determined to sign Neymar before the end of the season.

City sporting director Txiki Begiristain flew to Sao Paulo last week to discuss prising the 20-year old from his club, Santos, despite pressures on him to remain in Brazil until after the 2014 World Cup.

Santos chiefs are relenting, however, and Begiristain believed travelling to South America would help to reinforce City's desire for Neymar, who is valued at around 32 million.

Target: Neymar (centre) is the centre of attention for many of Europe's elite

Target: Neymar (centre) is the centre of attention for many of Europe's elite

The interest also raises questions over Mario Balotelli's future with the Premier League champions; whether he will be sold to make room for the Brazilian.

City will have a fight on their hands with Barcelona, who are also keen on the youngster, should Santos finally be talked into selling.

Moreover, both Chelsea and Real Madrid have previously thought they had Neymar in their clutches, only for the arrangements to fall through and the deal never to materialise.

City are certainly in the market for a new striker, ideally before the end of January to boost their title-retaining campaign.

Manager Roberto Mancini recently visited Spain in the hope of landing Radamel Falcao, but it's Chelsea who are thought to have accelerated negotiations for the Atletico Madrid forward.

Rather than depending on their starry cast of foreign talent yesterday, however, City were saved by Gareth Barry who scored in the 92nd minute against Reading at the Ethiad Stadium.

Aiming high: Roberto Mancini would love to add the striker to his squad

Aiming high: Roberto Mancini would love to add the striker to his squad

Balotelli had been dropped from the squad and did not attend the game, but Mancini was far from concerned about his striker having been photographed driving around Manchester in his uniquely decorated Bentley.

'He was meant to be having a day off,' Mancini said.

'He couldn't train so he couldn't play. But I can't lock him in his house.'


The comments below have not been moderated.

Manchester City are not a big club, they have bought heavily the past few years, they have one premier league title and they are the whipping boys in the champions league, sorry but they are pretenders and we all know it.

Report abuse

Neymar.....if you have any sense please go a club where you will develop as player whilst competing for top honours. Go to Barcelona and flourish into the player you're meant to be.

Report abuse

The change should be Mancini, he is a disaster for MC. They won the League by sheer luck, and that also not outright, same points and it should have been a playoff. Until Mancini is replaced, MC and all its wealth will count for nothing.

Report abuse

Neymar is 99% going to Barcelona. Alright? He'll fit in well there anyway with his diving.

Report abuse

Let's be serious Neymar probably hasn't even heard of man city. If Neymar went to man city it would be for the £500k a week they would offer him. Man City = Mercenary club destroying football.

Report abuse

i doubt Neymar never know that there are another club at Manchester other that United..tips to make him interested to even listen to the offer is to tell him that u come from Manchester but never tell him it is Citeh, bcos he will get confuse...

Report abuse

never would he go city

Report abuse

Who knows or absolute certainty that, if the budget is blown on one or two players, that some other "young stars" will not lose out? PLUS..This kind of money can feed how many thousands?

Report abuse

Hes over rated, he does things in Brazil and against weak teams at international level hes yet to show it against quality. He goes down too easy, has a big ego that makes Balotelli seem understated and physically not suited to the PL - martin.belfast , Belfast, United Kingdom, 23/12/2012 12:23 what an idiotic statement to make, by the stupid reasoning Rooney should have about 200 international goals as he plays against how many weak international teams. Yet he's only managed 32 in 78 - Cristiano Ronaldo has only got 37 in 100 and Messi 31 in 71 whereas Neymar has 17 in 26. Neymar hasn't been tested truly at club level but he isn't overrated, people just dislike him because he showboats but he is an outstanding player. He will not sign for any English side he has either Barca or Madrid in his thoughts. And if were to be honest then both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are overrated too has defenders are no longer allowed to defend, 10 years ago neither would hit 30 goals a season.

Report abuse

Ekolai, New York - Although we all don't like the truth, Man City ARE a big club, and ALOT bigger than Santos. I'm just unsure whether a move to Man City would make or break Neymar..

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.