Manchester City have confirmed they wanted to sign Barcelona star Neymar two years ago.

The Daily Star Sunday says City confirmed to a judge in Spain that they pulled out of the deal when he was leaving Santos and decided to leave it to Barcelona and Real Madrid to fight it out for the Samba superstar.

Barca won the battle, claiming they had signed Neymar for £12million.

But it later emerged that the true cost of the deal was closer to £60m.

Brazilian investment company DIS had a 40 per cent stake in Neymar and are claiming they have suffered financially as they missed out on the higher figure for the controversial transfer.

That has triggered a court case with massive tax implications and City were asked to give evidence, because of their talks with the Neymar camp.