How Neymar Is Preventing Barcelona From Acquiring Key Transfer Target

Barca have identified Santos' 17-year old sensational Rodrygo as a top transfer target but previous dealings between the clubs, namely for the mega move that saw Neymar move to the Nou Camp, is hindering the possibility of a transfer happening.

Santos president Bruno Peres says they won't even entertaining the idea of selling their crown jewel to the Bernabeu as they believe they are still owed money from the Neymar transfer.

In what was a complicated deal, the Brazilian became a 'cule' in 2013 but FIFA are still looking into the matter, with the Brazilian club still feeling as though they are entitled to €14.5 million.

"Four months before the Club World Cup in 2011, Barcelona paid an advance on the transaction and we feel that there was grooming going on.

"We are demanding €14.5m from them. When they pay us, we will talk about other things."

Rodrygo, who has of course drawn the inevitable comparisons to Neymar, made headlines this week for scoring a brilliant nine-minute hat-trick against Vitoria.

There's been talk that Barca tabled a €30 million offer for Rodrygo, who has a €50 million euros release clause. Real Madrid have also been showing interest, with there being reports that they are close to usurping their rivals for the highly-rated teenager.

Los Blancos have already forked out €45 million for Flamengo starlet Vinicius Junior before loaning him back to the club.

Peres says the same level of finance would be required to sign Santos' prized asset.

"Rodrygo is today's star," he added.

"He's an extremely talented player, everyone knows that. We have a precedent [for his price] in Vinicius Junior, who was sold when he was 17.

"There are five or six big teams interested in [Rodrygo] that want to negotiate with us."