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Juve chase Neymar[/FONT]
Monday 16 November, 2009
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Juventus want to steal a march on Chelsea and sign Santos striker Neymar, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.
The Bianconeri have 'gone Brazilian’ of late, adding Amauri, Diego and then Felipe Melo to their talented squad.
Juventus’ chief scout Renzo Castagnini has been on several missions to South America over the last year to find new talent, but Neymar’s quality is already acknowledged by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Chelsea and Barcelona have been to watch him and Santos expect a bidding war to commence either in January or next summer.
In anticipation, Santos have awarded Neymar a new contract until 2014, which includes a £30m buy-out clause.
Chelsea are being viewed as Juventus’ biggest rivals for Neymar’s signature as they could be forced to launch a bid as early as January in recognition of their transfer ban, which has been suspended on appeal.
Whether they take a chance on a highly rated youngster in favour of buying proven talent remains to be seen, but what’s certain is Neymar will leave Brazil for one of Europe’s big clubs in the next year or so.
He has been compared with Manchester City fantasista Robinho, who started his career with Santos in 2002. [/FONT]