The father of Barcelona striker Neymar has revealed that Real Madrid offered €150m for his son when he was with Santos.
Neymar de Silva Sr. appeared in the Spanish High Court on Wednesday as a witness in the investigation into the Brazilian international’s signing by the Catalans before the start of the 2013-14 season.
During testimony that lasted two hours, Neymar Sr. confirmed the figure Madrid had offered and said Neymar Jr. chose to play for Barcelona instead, where he was willing to accept a smaller salary.
Efe reports that sources present in court said the player’s father justified a dozen different contracts signed to bring Neymar to Spain, including paying him a salary of €2m to act as a Barca scout in Brazil, which eventually led to the club signing three players.
In his role as adviser to his son, Neymar Sr. is alleged to have received five per cent of Neymar’s transfer fee, which he defended in front Judge Pablo Ruz, the person in charge of investigating supposed tax fraud and misappropriation of money.
The suit was brought by a Barcelona member, Jordi Cases, who has claimed former club President Sandro Rosell embezzled money from the deal.
