Mancini asks City bosses to bring him £50m Neymar

[Jose Tortilla]

The Italian wants to beat Barcelona to the Santos sensation - but isn't sure if he'll still be at the club to greet him

[img=500x350]http://wweforums.net/data/MetaMirrorCache/a64911dd36b92dbd6bcea164e2fd958c.jpg[/img]

Julian Finney
Roberto Mancini will ask for the green light to sign Brazilian sensation Neymar when he meets Manchester City’s new director of ­football this week, writes The Sunday People.

The Blues boss has placed the £50million Santos superstar at the top of his wish-list for next summer.

Click here to read more stories from The Sunday People.

But Mancini has told pals that even if Neymar arrives at the Etihad, he might not be around to greet him.

The Italian fears that, though he signed a five-year deal in the summer, City’s mega-rich owners will dump him if he doesn’t retain the Premier League crown, no matter what it costs them.

Mancini has been urging City’s money-men to splash the cash since last season ended – and Neymar is his dream signing.

European fans reckon Cristiano Ronaldo is Lionel Messi’s only rival for the best-player-in-the-world tag but in South America it’s 20-year-old Neymar they see as the next No.1.

And City have an ace up their sleeve in the chase to land him – in the shape of Txiki Begiristain, their new recruitment supremo.

Begiristain spent months trying to sign Neymar when he was sporting director at Barcelona between 2008 and 2010 and believes the dialogue they opened then gives him a head start over rival clubs.

Reports suggest Barcelona are clear favourites to sign Neymar in the summer after paying £6m merely to secure first refusal.

But Santos insist no deal has been done by any club for Neymar, tipped to become the star of the 2014 World Cup in his homeland.

Mancini said: “I don’t know if it is true that Barcelona have already made a down-payment for Neymar.

“I think when Txiki starts to work here next week we can start to talk about the future for us because this is very important.

“Neymar is a Santos player and I don’t know what can happen with him in the future.

“But I am very happy to work now with the new sporting director because he gives us the chance to move very quickly regarding some players.

“If we work well together then the next three or four years for Manchester City can be very strong.”

Mancini believes it’s vital for City to sign Neymar to maintain progress after a disappointing summer transfer window.

The Italian wanted Roma midfield star Daniele de Rossi and Robin van Persie but City instead ended up with Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia.

City owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak believe enough money has been spent to defend the Premier League title and are disappointed City are struggling once again in the Champions League.

They are also thought to be disturbed by reports that Mancini flirted with Monaco earlier in the year.

That’s put pressure on Mancini and his position isn’t eased with Begiristain a close ally of former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, currently out of football.

If City’s owners become disillusioned with Mancini, the Barca legend would be an easy appointment to make despite the Italian’s five-year deal.

Mansour would think nothing of paying out £20million to get rid of Mancini if he could land Guardiola instead.

-Mirror.co.uk

 

[Jose Tortilla]

@[Lacky]

Your opinion?

 

[Cloud]

It's a distinct possibility with City's spending power however many think that the EPL is on the decline at the min with the racism rows, referee issues, money issues. Also the fair play regulations come into play soon so big spending will be curbed to a degree so as much as it could happen there are reasons it won't in my opinion.

 

[Zach]

I want him to go to Liverpool since I like them. But obviously whoever he goes to he'll make a big impact for. Easily one of the most explosive players in the game.

 

[Lacky]

@[Lacky]

Your opinion?

I don't know what to think at the moment, he's a fantastic player no doubt about it. But where would we play him? at the moment it look's like Mancini prefers playing a lone man up front with a striker behind him. The Tevez/Aguero combination can be lethal at times so I see no need in signing Neymar unless he wants to sell either of them players.

I'm saying this but it's likely we'll probably try and get Guardiola for next season with the rumors that Mancini was speaking to Monaco about becoming there manager last season without the club knowing. & The fact we've signed two former Barcelona directors as CEO and a Director of football who both worked with Guardiola. So I'm not sure. Mancini needs to start winning games in the champions league otherwise he'll be sacked. I've read a few reports that Sheik Mansour is refusing to keep spending while Mancini is failing in Europe. ity1:

 

[Crayo]

Not happening, lol@source. Neymar wants to play with Messi mate.

 

[Jose Tortilla]

I don't know what to think at the moment, he's a fantastic player no doubt about it. But where would we play him? at the moment it look's like Mancini prefers playing a lone man up front with a striker behind him. The Tevez/Aguero combination can be lethal at times so I see no need in signing Neymar unless he wants to sell either of them players.

I'm saying this but it's likely we'll probably try and get Guardiola for next season with the rumors that Mancini was speaking to Monaco about becoming there manager last season without the club knowing. & The fact we've signed two former Barcelona directors as CEO and a Director of football who both worked with Guardiola. So I'm not sure. Mancini needs to start winning games in the champions league otherwise he'll be sacked. I've read a few reports that Sheik Mansour is refusing to keep spending while Mancini is failing in Europe. ity1:

Balotelli will leave no doubt. Probably AC Milan..

So, this was what I thought.

 

[Jonathan]

Daily Mirror.....

Neymar will sign for Nottingham Forrest then.

 

[Lacky]

Daily Mirror.....

Neymar will sign for Nottingham Forrest then.

ity1: