Marinho Peres: 'Neymar will join Barcelona'

Former Santos boss Marinho Peres has declared that the club's Neymar will join Barcelona "sooner or later".

The 19-year-old continues to be linked with a big-money move to Barcelona or Real Madrid despite signing a new deal at Santos until 2014. Earlier this month, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell suggested that the European champions will make a move for Neymar in 2014.

However, Peres – a former Barcelona player himself – has insisted that Barcelona are closing in on the young forward.

"I am friends with Santos officials, I can say that Neymar's transfer to Barcelona is at an advanced stage," the 64-year-old 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."

Neymar has scored 40 goals in 85 appearances for Santos since his debut in 2009.