Barcelona show clear intent with spectacular signing
Brazilian superstar striker Neymar will officially be unveiled by FC Barcelona as their first marquee signing of the summer on Monday, once the international matches of this week are over with.
Speculation has surrounded the future of the 21-year-old for the last couple of years at least, with top European sides such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City all strongly linked to the skilful forward.
Finally, Barcelona are the club to have made the leap to ensure that the Santos star will turn out for the Blaugrana next season in an obvious attempt to put the Catalonian giants back to the top of European football, having endured a thrashing over two legs at the hands of eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich in the tournament's semi-finals.
The reported €72m transfer fee is a huge amount for Barça to splash out on a player who is yet to play in European club football before now, but the Samba star's undoubted ability puts him at the top of the most people's list as the next worldwide football phenomenon.
Barcelona need to boost their forward line with the disappointing form of David Villa and Alexis Sanchez giving Tito Vilanova great cause for concern. Finding the antidote to that problem was always going to be a major priority at Camp Nou this summer and the club acted quickly to ward off opposition for Neymar's signature.
The young striker's record of slightly better than a goal every two games in Santos colours shows his pedigree, alongside 20 goals in 32 appearances for the full Brazil national team. Neymar has been closely watched in Europe while growing up through the various age groups of the Brazilian international sides and showed his great potential in Britain when performing successfully for his country at the 2012 Olympic Games, Brazil ending as runners-up in the competition.
Barcelona supporters will hope Neymar can at least match the feats of fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho, who spent five massively productive years in Spain helping Barça to largely dominate La Liga and the Champions League. Having bided his time to cross the Atlantic, it's 99 per cent certain that the new kid on the block will take to his new surroundings like a duck to water and provide the fans with many moments of magic for them to revel in.
Having seen off Real Madrid in La Liga this campaign, but failing to look as impressive in Europe, the Catalan club have sent out a clear statement to their rivals that they mean business next season with the signing of the most sought-after young footballer around.
Expect fireworks at the home of FC Barcelona come the new season!
Twitter: @davewh1980
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