Neymar hints at future Chelsea switch

Neymar came close to joining Chelsea in the summer (EPA)

New Brazil star Neymar has described the prospect of joining Chelsea as "an honour", claiming he needs to leave Santos to become the world's best player.

The Blues reportedly had a £25million bid for the 18-year-old rejected in the summer.

The Brazilian club pulled out all the stops to keep Neymar and he was eventually convinced to sign a contract until 2015.

He claims he is "happy" at Santos at the moment but believes he needs to move to Europe to fulfil his potential, perhaps as early as next summer.

Neymar told The Sun: "To play for Chelsea would be an honour. Everything they have to offer is attractive to me.

"They have big players, they are in big competitions, they have a strong squad and I like the way they play.

"Top players want to be part of something like that. I'm no different. But I'm happy at Santos.

"If I left, it wouldn't be because Santos isn't a good place to be but only because the Premier League is a higher level.

"It wasn't the right time for me to go in the summer but I will be much better prepared for it by next year."

Neymar, who scored on his Brazil debut in August, added: "A player with a winning mentality like I have has to play in the best places like Chelsea.

"I want to go where I can become a world-class player. I have ambitions to be the best player in the world."