Santos shun Hammers bid

West Ham chase Brazilian starlet

Last updated: 1st July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Santos shun Hammers bid

Neymar: West Ham target

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Santos have confirmed they have rejected a bid from West Ham for striking starlet Neymar.

The Hammers have good contacts in South America and they have turned their attentions to the most highly-rated young forward in the region.

Real Madrid have been chasing him for over 12 months and tried but failed to finalise a deal last year, whilst Inter Milan, Manchester City and Manchester United are all well aware of the 18-year-old after tracking his progress closely.

But just like when they beat some of Europe's elite to land Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006, West Ham are looking to do the same again by signing Neymar.

They have offered an initial £12million (€15million) for the player - which has been rejected.

Santos confirmed they had turned down the bid as they also shunned a similar offer from French giants Lyon for another of their top young players - midfielder Ganso.

"We had offers of €15million for each," Santos sporting director Luiz Nunes Pedro Conceicao confirmed to the Brazilian media.

"We have not had time to formally contact either clubs, but our position is clear.

"We have not, and do not, want to open negotiations to sell either player.

"On several occasions now we have said that we will not negotiate, and this needs to be clear."

Despite the rejection, local sources claim that West Ham are already preparing to return with an offer of £20million (€25million) - which could be enough to persuade Santos.

Reports are also suggesting that West Ham are only seeing the deal as a short-term measure as they will look to move Neymar on after 12 months, with a move to Chelsea in 2011 already being mooted.