Neymar was offered 'blank cheque' to complete transfer that would've changed the course of football history forever

Before his move to Barcelona, Neymar rejected a "blank cheque" offer from one of the world's biggest clubs because his "dream" was to play with Lionel Messi.

Back in the summer of 2013, a fresh-faced Neymar left boyhood club Santos for Spanish giants Barcelona in a deal worth £48.6 million.

It was a transfer that rocked world football. "Money is OK but happiness takes priority. We decided to come to Barcelona. I had a lot of offers but I followed my heart," he said at the time.

"I think adjusting to European football may be difficult but I hope to adjust quickly."

And adjust he did. The Brazilian would score 105 goals in 186 appearances during a trophy-laden four-year spell at the Catalan club, where he lifted the Champions League and two La Liga titles.

But things could have been very different for Neymar, who revealed in a recent interview that Real Madrid were willing to go above and beyond to capture his services.

“I received an offer from both sides [Barcelona and Real Madrid]. One proposal from Barcelona and the one from Real Madrid was practically a blank cheque,” he told the Podpah podcast.

“Real Madrid said ‘put on offer on paper and we’ll pay’. If I’d gone to Real Madrid I would have earned three times more than I did at Barcelona.

“I ended up listening to my heart. My dream was to play with Lionel Messi, that’s when I decided to go to Barca.”

It has been an eventful week for Neymar, who has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona, almost eight years after leaving the Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain in a world record £200 million deal.

In fact, Neymar's "big motivation" is to secure a return to Barca this summer, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.

Asked if there any forwards we should be keeping an eye on, Ornstein said: "If I’m to highlight one it would be Neymar.

"His return to Santos from Al Hilal was on a short-term contract so, unless an extension is signed, he’ll become a free agent on June 30 — although I hear there is also a mechanism that would allow him to leave sooner for teams competing in the Club World Cup. It will all depend on his condition, physical and technical.

"The early signs look good, but let’s see how he fares in the weeks and months ahead. The remarkable situation currently being explored is a return to Barcelona. Nothing has been decided but I’m told discussions are taking place between the Catalan giants and his camp."

Neymar is being linked with a return to Barcelona. Image credit: Getty

Ornstein added: "Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Neymar’s representative Pini Zahavi have a close relationship, and I think Zahavi also looks after Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.

"Neymar’s big motivation will be the 2026 World Cup and playing at Barcelona, in the rebuilt Camp Nou, has fairytale potential. A lot would need to happen for this to materialise, but it’s possible and a tantalising prospect!"

Thoughts on Neymar's future? Let us know in the comments.