Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Miss Out On £40m Target

Neymar has extended his contract at Santos until 2014 and has committed his future to the Brazilian club.

Neymar is wanted by Chelsea although Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona were thought to be leading the chase for the 19-year-old’s signature.  Despite rumours suggested the gifted striker would move to Europe next summer for a fee thought to be around £40million, the Brazilian insists his future lies with Santos.

“I’m one of the fans, I love to play for Santos and the happiness of being in my country,” Neymar said at a press conference at which he was flanked by his father and Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro.

“I’m a player who is making history in Santos. I’m glad to represent Santos and Brazil. I can only thank God for putting wonderful people on the path of my life.

“Here is where I’m happy and here is where I want to stay. I’ve always said that happiness would play a significant role in my decision.”

Asked about his future after the World Cup, Neymar insisted that he could not see beyond Santos.

“I do not see myself leaving Santos,” he said. “I plan to stay here a long time.”

Ribeiro believes Brazil will be “a happier country” knowing that Neymar is staying at one of its biggest clubs.

“Some months ago we started a fight seen by some as a dream,” he said on Wednesday.

“Finally this morning we finished the negotiations with the father of Neymar.

“Through dialogue, built day after day, he understood the permanence of Neymar ahead of the 2014 World Cup would provide a service to the country.

“I think Brazil is now a happier country.”