Neymar told to quit Barcelona: Man Utd and Man City set for £100m battle - Exclusive

NEYMAR is set to spark a £100million tussle between Manchester United and Manchester City after his father urged him to quit Barcelona for the Premier League.

Posted Sunday, May 21, 2017 by Express.co.uk

Neymar Snr has told his son he needs to move to England - and he hinted that Old Trafford would be the best bet - to escape life in the shadow of Lionel Messi and establish himself as the world's No 1 striker.

The 25-year-old is Barca's third highest scorer with 24 goals.

But he is behind both Luis Suarez, who has 28, and Messi, who is top with 35.

His dad's intervention is a boost for Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who is a long-term admirer of the player he feared would always stay at Barca.

Neymar has scored 104 goals in 184 appearances with Barcelona who signed him from Santos in 2013.

Mourinho is also believed to be lining up a move for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, who he re-signed from Benfica for £22m in 2014 during his second spell as boss at Stamford Bridge.

The Serbian played a big part in the Blues' Premier League triumph as he formed a strong duo with N'Golo Kante in midfield.

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann is another marquee player Mourinho is considering bringing to Old Trafford.

Neymar has been told to leave Barcelona for the Premier League

Express Sport understands he has made him his No 1 transfer target with the Portuguese boss keen on activating his £86m release clause in a bid to get a deal over the line.

But with Neymar's future at the Nou Camp being cast into doubt, Mourinho could now put all of his efforts into signing the Brazilian superstar as he bids to get United back on top in the Premier League and Europe.

However, Pep Guardiola could beat United to Neymar's signature with the Barca striker admitting last year that he would love to play under the Spaniard.

"Guardiola is a guy that I really admire and who I would love to work with," said Neymar.