MANCHESTER UNITED have been in secret talks to try to buy Brazilian superstar Neymar.
A top Barcelona source has told SunSport the Red Devils have made a discreet approach to the La Liga champions.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been to Barca three times in the last two months with all the talk being about United’s chase for Pedro.
But, under the radar, Woodward has made an audacious bid for Neymar.
United want a marquee signing and have looked into swooping for Gareth Bale from Real Madrid and Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich.
But Neymar would be the most astonishing capture of all. Barcelona are resisting all interest from United and know it will take Neymar to say he wants to go before any transfer could happen.
However, the Brazilian superstar is well aware that if he moved to Old Trafford he would become the undisputed main man and a challenger for the title of World Player of the Year.
For United, too, a deal makes a great deal of sense with Neymar only 23 years old and coming into prime form.
Moneybags Paris Saint-Germain are another club showing strong interest in the Brazilian.
The French giants believe he is the perfect replacement for Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But the Barca source told SunSport: “United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so it is right they should be chasing a player who has the potential to be the best player on the planet.” Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal has rejected claims United botched a deal to sign Pedro, claiming they simply did not want him.
The club’s transfer guru Woodward has suffered flak after the Spain star signed for Chelsea in a £21.25m deal.
But United insist manager LVG simply changed his mind over the player.
The Dutchman said: “When you ask me does Pedro fit into the profile, I cannot lie, then I say yes.
“I cannot deny that but I did not say I was interested — that’s the difference.”
It has been claimed United lost out as they quibbled over how to construct the deal, opening the door for Chelsea.
Van Gaal also denied there had been a breakdown in communication between himself and Woodward.
He added: “Every day I am updated by him and I trust him.
“Ed Woodward is doing the things and he does it very well I think.”