Barcelona sensation and Manchester United target Neymar is growing increasingly frustrated at playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi and is weighing up his Barcelona future.

That’s according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who told talkSPORT that Neymar’s links with United aren’t just attempts to leverage an improved deal at the European champions – unlike the Sergio Ramos transfer saga with the Red Devils over the summer.

While Messi is allegedly ‘preparing for the possibility’ of a Premier League move, the chances of him leaving are slim which has subsequently increased the prospect of the Brazilian departing instead.

United reportedly tabled a mammoth £139m bid for the 23-year-old in August which was immediately knocked back.

But Balague insists Neymar’s ambition to become the world’s best is hindered by his continued presence in Messi’s shadow at Barcelona.

He told the Sports Bar: “Neymar feels if he stays there [Barcelona] he won’t be the number one in the world.

“He has placed himself in the equation [a move to Manchester United] for the last few months.

“Neymar is actually thinking ‘what can I do next?’ because Messi is 28 and he’ll be there for a few more years so Neymar will not be allowed to grow.”

Balague is also adamant that the Catalans will be unable to keep hold of both Messi and Neymar if both are offered improved contracts, simply due to the astronomical size of the new deals.