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Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has
confirmed five clubs in Europe have agreed to pay Neymar's €45
million release clause.
The clubs - named in widespread reports throughout Brazil as
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Russian side
Anzhi Makhachkala - will now be given permission to speak to
Neymar.
"We don't want to sell the player, but of course there is a
release clause in his contract that can be paid," he told ESPN
Brasil. "Five European clubs have offered to match the
clause.
"I cannot name them because there is an agreement between Santos
and the clubs, but they are the most important European clubs. They
have asked to speak to the player and obviously we've allowed them
to."
He added: "The clubs have behaved ethically. They sought out
Santos first and were willing to pay the clause. With this ethical
approach, they can talk to anyone - with Neymar's father, with
[agent] Wagner Ribeiro, and with the representatives of
Neymar."
Chelsea had seen a number of bids rejected for Neymar last
summer before the 19-year-old Brazil international signed a new
long-term deal with the club.
Ribeiro added: "Last year, Chelsea's attitude was different.
Their first action was to seek out the player's
representatives."
The news comes just a day after Ribeiro said Neymar wanted to
become the best player in the world while remaining in Brazil, and
he remains confident that the forward will opt to stay at
Santos.
"These clubs can come and make their offers, but if he wants to
stay at Santos then he'll say no and stay at Santos," he said.
"It's not a good time for him to leave.
"The 2014 World Cup is coming and the eyes of the world will be
on Brazil. If he stays, and wins the Club World Cup, the Olympics
and maybe the World Cup, he will become an idol and can go to
Europe having done it all.
"Right now, he lives close to his family and friends in the city
he loves and is at a club that is right for him. There's no reason
for him to go now. I think he'll stay."
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Flying high: Neymar is set to leave Santos this
summer with a number of clubs battling over his signature