Jose Mourinho compares Manchester United’s attempts to buy Neymar as like trying to crack open a vault
JOSE MOURINHO has compared Manchester United's pursuit of Neymar as like trying to crack open a vault.
Reports in Catalonia said "alarm bells were ringing" in the Nou Camp after United supposedly talked to the Brazilian's agent over a £173million move.
SunSport told you in 2015 how bosses for the Red Devils had sought to find out what it would take to bring him to Manchester.
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And the man himself admitted as much, saying: "We had conversations, but there was nothing concrete."
However, it seems for the first time that former Real Madrid manager Mourinho has possibly conceded defeat in the quest to sign him.
Speaking to ESPN Brasil, the Portuguese said: "I always try to be objective and pragmatic with the clubs and ask the clubs for what can be given to me.
"Neymar is absurd. A club like Barcelona cannot and will not lose Neymar.
"Although [Lionel] Messi is still a young player with years to go - he is still playing well at the age of 30 - but Neymar will be Barcelona's great player after Messi.
"We will not break the vault. I think it is impossible."
claimed United were willing to offer Neymar - who has already guided Brazil to next-year's World Cup - £416,000-a-week after tax to leave La Liga.
And it was said they tried to sweeten the deal by giving him a better "financial and football opportunity" than is available to him at Barcelona.