'Man Utd offered €190m for Neymar'

Manchester United made a €190 million (£144m) offer for Barcelona star Neymar during the summer window, according to the player's father.

The Red Devils were ready to pay a world-record fee by activating the Brazil international's release clause but club and player held firm and Neymar Senior expects the forward to stay put for the foreseeable future as well.

He told COPE: "Manchester United is the side that offered €190m for Neymar. He has still two years left on his contract but you all [the media] can be calm as my son is so happy here."

United spent over £108m on new players in the transfer window last summer, though they made much of that back with sales including Angel Di Maria's departure for Paris Saint-Germain, but a successful bid for the Barca star would have taken that purchasing spree to huge new levels.

Since United's failed attempt to sign him, Neymar has scored 21 goals in 27 games across all competitions for the Blaugrana this season, continuing his incredible partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.