Neymar to Manchester United: Premier League side made bid for Barcelona striker, father confirms

United launched an audacious attempt to lure Neymar to Old Trafford in the summer but Neymar Snr insists the Spanish champions had no intention of selling

Manchester United did make an unsuccessful summer transfer bid for Barcelona superstar Neymar, his father has revealed.

United mounted a widespread, and at times desperate search for a striker after letting both Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao leave the club, and along with Neymar they were linked with the likes of Thomas Muller, Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, they eventual sealed a record signing for Monaco’s Anthony Martial in the most expensive fee ever pair for a teenager, but it was reported that a bid had gone in to Barcelona to try and tempt them to sell the Brazil international and the player himself had already confirmed that talks did take place.

Now, the 23-year-old’s father, Neymar da Silva Santos, has confirmed an official transfer offer was made, but admitted that the Spanish league champions were intent on not selling one of their prize assets.

“Man United’s offer came to Barça and they told us they won’t sell. They asked if we were interested, but it wasn’t the case.” Neymar Snr said in quotes reported by Brazilian newspaper Globo.

“Barcelona does not sell Neymar, because he has a three year contract.”

Neymar's father Neymar da Silva Santos (Getty Images)

United had hope that Neymar could be persuaded to the Premier League by the chance to become the main man at Old Trafford, rather than play second fiddle to Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.

However, in an admission that will disappoint United fans somewhat, Neymar Snr added that the interest in Neymar fell away after the bid was rejected, and he refused to talk about his son’s future beyond the current season with the Catalan side.

“It was a project of Manchester United, only to not have this proposal anymore. It fell behind,” he said.

It’s expected that Barcelona will open contract extension talks with Neymar in the near future after seeing the interest in him from a Champions League rival. Neymar still has three years left to run on his current deal, but Barcelona officials are intent on tying him down to a new deal with talks set to continue in January.