Neymar
Manchester United and Real Madrid are ready to meet Neymar’s release clause with Barcelona amid rumours of the Brazilian international’s exit from Camp Nou. Reuters/Albert Gea

Manchester United and Real Madrid are on high alert over speculations around Barcelona star Neymar’s exit from Camp Nou, and the latest transfer rumours have the English and Spanish soccer clubs ready to shed a huge sum of money for the Brazilian’s release clause.

Neymar’s future with Barcelona has been in limbo after his father Neymar Sr revealed earlier this week during a court trial over allegations of tax evasion that an unnamed club had tried to offer the Brazilian international a massive transfer deal worth £144.4 million, according to Catalunya Radio.

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While Neymar Sr, who has long insisted that his son would not sign a new contract with the Catalan giants until the Barca striker gets tax stability in Spain, confirmed that the multi-million pound offer was not from Real, the bombshell revelation follows reports about United trying to bring the 23-year-old to Old Trafford in August, reports The Sun.

Meanwhile, Spanish newspaper Marca claims the club that attempted to lure Neymar to leave Barcelona was Real, reports The Week. Real president Florentino Perez said he was “ready” to meet Neymar’s staggering release clause, but would only do so if their two-window transfer ban is lifted by FIFA.

However, Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Neymar, along with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, is untouchable at Camp Nou. The Barca trio have scored a combined total of 18 goals for the Spanish club this season, helping the club remain atop La Liga with three points and a knockout stage slot at the Champions League.

"No, no and no,” Maradona told Marca, as translated by ESPN FC. “Neymar, Suarez and Messi will never go ever to Real Madrid unless there were problems with the club management. The fans are with them and I don't think Neymar is going anywhere.”

Neymar, who is being probed by a Spanish court for alleged corruption and fraud, could also be Manchester City’s target in the next transfer window. City is set to bring in Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

“Guardiola is a guy I really admire — and who I would love to work with,” Neymar said.

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