Neymar: Leaving for free not an option

Santos star Neymar insists he will not leave the Brazil Serie A club for free once his contract expires in 2014.

The Brazil striker has long been linked with a move away from Santos, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all reportedly interested.

The 20-year-old has always said he will only move when the time is right, and has now hinted at signing an extension to his current deal to ensure his side do not end up empty-handed.

“With everything the club have done for me and my family, leaving for free is not an option,” Neymar told reporters.

“But it’s something very distant and we still have to talk. First I’ll try to win some trophies and then I’ll think about it. I don’t know if I’ll be leaving for free.

“It depends on the club and if they want to let me go for nothing.”

Meanwhile, his agent Wagner Ribeiro said Santos would be rewarded when their prized asset eventually makes the move to Europe.

“Neymar’s family are very grateful to Santos, the club that built him as a player and projected him to world fame,” he said.

“Certainly at the end of his contract they will study the best way for him to continue in Brazil or go to Europe with Santos benefiting from it somehow.”