Agent Reveals Neymar 'Came Close' to Leaving Barcelona for Manchester United Last Summer

Neymar's agent has revealed the Barcelona superstar was "close" to leaving the club for either Paris Saint Germain or Manchester United last summer, before he penned a contract extension with the Spanish champions.

The Brazilian is certainly hot property in the world of football and if any club could have him, they would take him in a flash. And bothUnited and PSG made approaches to sign him last summer - at least according to representative Wagner Ribeiro.

Neymar's agent insists a move away from Spain was 'close', according toESPN Brazil,until the Brazilian sensation penned a contract extension 'til 2021 with the Catalan giants.

He said:"He (Neymar)was close to joining PSG.He would have earned €40m-a-year net.

"Neymar was also close to a spell at Manchester United, but he extended his contract to earn less at Barcelona because he wanted to stay at Barcelona."

PSG, in search of a headline signing that would keeps the fans excited after the departure ofZlatan Ibrahimovic, were reportedly ready to completely obliteratethe world transfer record with a bid of€190m -and offera weekly salary of £650,000 after tax -for the Olympic gold medal winner.

Neymar's free kick to help Brazil won the gold! ⚽�🔥� Like if he's the playe... (Vine by ⚽�Everything Soccer⚽�) https://t.co/ddg42zKdpl

Should the Ligue 1 champions or Manchester Unitedcontinue their pursuit of Neymar, they will be inclined to pay even more now after Neymar agreed a contract extension.

Neymar's new deal includes a€200m buyout clause after the first year, whichwill rise to €222m the following year and €250m by 2019. However, a source from PSG has sad that the rumours arecompletelyfalse,L'Equipereported.

"It's totally false," they said. "With employer contributions on top, that salary would have cost more than €60m a year. It's obscene. Neymar used us to strengthen his hand with Barcelona."