Chelsea & Real Madrid target Neymar wants to stay at Santos and become world’s best, claims president

Neymar – Brasil x Romênia

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Santos president Luiz Alfaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has stated that Neymar does not want to leave the club.

The 19-year-old forward is considered one of the most promising young talents in South America, and has already been strongly linked with moves to Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Speaking on Sunday evening, however, Ribeiro was adamant that if Neymar wanted to become the best player in the world, there was no need to rush across the Atlantic Ocean.

“I imagine there will be many tempting offers, but I’m talking to Neymar a lot and he’s focusing on becoming the best player in the world while still playing in Brazil,” the chief commented to Terra.

“He would change everything that way. At the end of his contract, he’ll be 23 years old, have played in the World Cup in Brazil and can become one of the great Brazilians.”

Neymar, along with Santos team-mates Ganso and Elano, is currently in Argentina with the Brazilian national squad, and the Peixe trio will hope to add 2011’s Copa America title to the Libertadores trophy secured last week against Penarol.

Ganso is another player who has sparked endless transfer speculation over the last 12 months, but Ribeiro was certain that he would stay at least until December’s Club World Cup.

“Ganso will be going to Tokyo with us, and he told me he doesn’t want to join Corinthians. Like any Brazilian player, he dreams of one day playing in Europe, but he has a contract with a £44.5 million release clause,” he stated, denying Lance rumours that the midfielder had agreed a deal with the club’s Sao Paulo rivals. 

“Santos don’t want to reduce the value of the clause but also have respect for his rights as a player – this isn’t slavery. We can’t force him to play if he’s unhappy, because he won’t play well. We want him to be happy and he is.”