Brazilian super agent Wagner Ribeiro admits he's twice had Neymar close to signing for Real Madrid.

Ribeiro first took the Santos star to Real seven years ago for a 20-day trial.

"A contract was drawn up, but in the end Neymar didn't want to leave home," recalled Ribeiro.

Then in 2011, Real made a serious bid for the Brazilian.

"They were going to pay the buyout clause of €45 million and distribute the money to the DIS Group, which owns 40% of the player's rights, and Santos. It was good business and Neymar's contract was also good. I wanted him at Madrid. At first, DIS did not accept the €12 million and then Santos would not sell. But in reality, everything stopped because Neymar said he did not want to leave at that time."

Barcelona are now favourites for the player.