Barcelona Line Up for Neymar

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Neymar Brazil

Spanish giants Barcelona are ready to make a move for long-term target Neymar.

The Brazilian wonderkid has caught the eye at the London Olympic Games, firing Brazil into the quarter-finals with one goal and two assists in their 3-1 win over Belarus.

The 20-year-old Santos star stole the show with a stunning 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, before turning provider for Alexandre Pato and Chelsea new-boy Oscar.

Neymar is widely considered to be the finest up and coming striker in world football and has been described as Brazil’s answer to Barca’s very own Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

The Santos forward has indicated that he is ready to stay in Brazil until the country hosts the 2014 World Cup before seeking a move to Europe but Barcelona vice-president Jose Maria Bartomeu says the Catalans will step up their efforts to sign Neymar after the Games.

“Neymar? We would like to see him joining after the Olympics,” he said. “If he decides to come to Europe then we will try to make it Barca,”Bartomeu told Sky Sports.

Neymar is likely to cost in excess of £35 million, with Barca’s fierce rivals Real Madrid also eyeing the striker.