Neymar to Man Utd: Barcelona transfer deal next summer hinges on Real Madrid - report

BARCELONA star Neymar is open to joining Manchester United next summer if Real Madrid continue to dominate world football, according to reports.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Barcelona star Neymar dating back to his time in Brazil with Santos.

Reports have previously claimed the 25-year-old could make the move to Old Trafford after the Red Devils were rejected by Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was backed to return to the club after suggestions he could leave Spain but, for now, that transfer deal looks dead in the water.

Manchester United are always in the market for the world's best players, as proved by their world-record £89million move for Paul Pogba 12 months ago.

However, Spanish outlet Don Balon claims their pursuit of Neymar hinges on how Barcelona and Real Madrid fare next season.

It is said the forward is worried that, after winning La Liga and retaining the Champions League last term, Real could continue to dominate world football.

Zinedine Zidane has turned them into Spain's biggest force once again, while Barcelona face a big rebuilding job under new manager Ernesto Valverde.

Valverde has succeeded Luis Enrique at the Nou Camp and the report says he could face a fight to retain Neymar if Barcelona fail to challenge or win major honours next term. 

And Lionel Messi could also influence a stunning transfer. 

The report adds Neymar is fed up of playing in Messi's shadow and a move away from Barcelona could beckon as a result. 

The player is also supposedly open to playing for United given their status as one of the biggest club's in world football. 

Speaking in March, however, Jose Mourinho described the prospect of signing the Brazil international as 'absurd'. 

“It's speculation, I always try to be objective and pragmatic with clubs and to ask them what they can give me,” he told ESPN Brazil.

“To ask for Neymar is absurd.

“A club like Barcelona cannot and will not lose Neymar. 

"Although [Lionel] Messi is still a young player with years ahead of him, he's almost 30, and Neymar will be the great player of Barcelona post-Messi. 

"So much that I think it [trying to sign Neymar] is like trying to break into a safe, impossible.”