Santos' Neymar will join Barcelona 'sooner or later', says former Brazil international Marinho Peres

The 64-year-old coach, who has strong ties to the Brazilian club, is sure that the talented youngster will move to Camp Nou and stated that negotiations are at an advanced stage

30 Jan 2012 22:07:15

By Luis Mira

More On :  , Barcelona, Neymar Santos Júnior
Neymar - Brazil
Neymar - Brazil
GOAL.COM TRANSFER SPECIAL
The show no football fan can afford to miss
If you love transfer deadline day then join us on January 31st for Goal.com’s Transfer Special – a 30 minute TV show to put you in the driving seat ahead of the final day of negotiations.

Former Brazil international Marinho Peres has declared that Santos forward Neymar will sign for Barcelona "sooner or later", with preparations for the move already made.

The 19-year-old starlet remains linked with the La Liga giants and their rivals, Real Madrid, despite commiting his future to the Copa Libertadores winners until 2014.

Earlier in the month, Barca president Sandro Rosell confirmed that his side will try to land Neymar in two years' time and Marinho Peres, who coached Santos in 1988 and 2008, says that the Catalan club are closing in on the Brazil international.

"I am friends with Santos' officials, I can say that Neymar's transfer to Barcelona is at an advanced stage," Marinho Peres told COM Radio.

"Sooner or later, Neymar will play at Barca. He has a tremendous talent and he will be a big hit at the Camp Nou.

"He will need two, three, four months to learn how to play like they do in Europe."

The 64-year-old, who represented the Catalan side between 1974 and 1976, then backed the young forward's decision to remain in Brazil despite interest from several from European big-guns.

"Brazil needs Neymar to stay," he added. "This is something that the country itself asks, because there are no players in the Brazil national team who play in the country.

"This is why Santos have made an effort for Neymar to play [at the club] until 2014, until the World Cup."

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Omission of Ferdinand & Richards bites back at Hodgson Omission of Ferdinand & Richards bites back at Hodgson

    The Manchester United man's absence from the Three Lions squad continues to dominate debate after the Chelsea defender is ruled out and Liverpool youngster called up in his place

  2. Mock the Weekend: Euro 2012 a push too far for Cahill Mock the Weekend: Euro 2012 a push too far for Cahill

    The Three Lions can count themselves fortunate not to be clouded by Italy's off-the-field problems, while Eden Hazard fails to live up to his own billing at Wembley

  3. Why England are injury-ravaged before a tournament Why England are injury-ravaged before a tournament

    The absence of Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and shows just how much club commitments take their toll on the national team as Euro 2012 looms

  4. Goal.com readers back Richards over Rio & Kelly Goal.com readers back Richards over Rio & Kelly

    The fans have spoken and a small majority believe the Manchester City right-back was the right choice to deputise in place of the Chelsea centre-back who suffered a broken jaw

  5. Hodgson’s headaches: How to utilise Oxlade-Chamberlain Hodgson’s headaches: How to utilise Oxlade-Chamberlain

    The Arsenal starlet has proved himself capable on the big stage and effective in a number of positions for his club, but how much will he be trusted at the Euros?