Barcelona "extremely interested in Neymar"

A representative of Barcelona has confirmed that the Spanish giants are keen on signing Santos forward Neymar.

The club's South American representative, Andre Cury, says that the Blaugrana players are waiting for the Brazil international "with open arms".

"[Barcelona are] extremely interested in Neymar," he told Radio Globo. "He is top of the wish list for planned signings and our players are aware of this. At Barcelona we do not usually sign many players, and he is our first choice.

"When he decides to leave Santos, we will be ready. But, if possible, we will start negotiations this summer. [Lionel] Messi, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta are already awaiting him with open arms. Neymar coming to Barcelona will put an end to two types of overdependence: dependence on Neymar at Santos, as he would have left, and overdependence on Messi at Barcelona, as we would then have another player at his level.

"In two or three years Messi will be able to pass on the Barcelona baton to Neymar, just like Ronaldinho passed it to him, even if this happened in a way that was not altogether pleasing to us - Ronnie left the club and we would have liked him to have stayed."

Neymar's current contract with Santos runs out in July 2014.