Real Madrid president Florentino Perez chose the long-term signing of Neymar ahead of Kylian Mbappe in August, it has been revealed.

Just a week after Neymar quit Barcelona for PSG, Mbappe left Monaco for the Parisians - but only after Perez pulled out of the race.

Diario Gol says Perez decided to allow PSG a free run at Mbappe as he wanted to keep his powder dry for Neymar. Also contributing to the decision was Cristiano Ronaldo, who had warned his president against moving for the teen at the time.

The Real president has since secured first refusal from Neymar's father, with the Brazilian expected to leave PSG in the next two years. Manchester United have also been mentioned as a destination, but the agreement with Neymar Snr has Perez confident there will be a deal to be done once the midfielder chooses to leave.

Meanwhile, it's also been revealed PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi won't stand in Neymar's way should he choose to cut short his stay. Al-Khelaifi is satisfied with having Mbappe already on the books, a player coaching staff can see developing into as big a name as Neymar in the coming years.