Neymar close to Real deal

Brazilian star Neymar’s move to Real Madrid is close to being finalised, with reports in Spain claiming he has signed a six-year contract.

The 19-year-old has been linked with a host of European clubs – but his current club Santos only gave permission for Chelsea and Real Madrid to speak to the highly rated youngster.

Real president Florentino Perez is a big fan of the striker – stating he would be willing to pay 45 million euros to secure his services.

But the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea may tempt Neymar to make the move to the English Premier League outfit instead.

This all comes as Diego Maradona branded the striker ‘bad mannered, just like Pele’.

Neymar previously claimed that he could become better than Barcelona ace Lionel Messi by just playing for Santos, but Maradona said he felt the Argentine was in a league of his own.

“Messi is an exceptional player and I doubt anyone can separate him (from being the best),” Maradona told TVE.