Transfer Centre

Santos boss: Neymar here until 2014

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 09 May 2012

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira insists that sought-after striker Neymar will not leave the club before his contract expires in 2014.

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira has insisted that superstar striker Neymar will not leave the club before 2014.

The 20-year-old is one of the most sought-after talents in world football and has attracted interest from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The player agreed a contract extension in November that ties him to Santos until 2014 and Oliveira is adamant that the player will honour the deal.

He told Ona FM: "The odds on Neymar leaving before 2014 are the same as zero. I also hope that the player continues after 2014. We are going to compete with Barca and with Real at the end of the player's contract to keep him in Brazil for longer.

"It's not certain that if Neymar leaves Santos that he is only going to go to Barca. What's certain is that he is staying until 2014. After, the only decision will come from the player. I hope to compete with all those interested.

"The player is very happy in Brazil and at Santos. I hope to win the heart of the player once again."

Brazil legend Pele is a big admirer of Neymar and has claimed that he is better than Lionel Messi.