Manchester United target Neymar will leave Spain if the authorities continue to investigate his financial affairs, according to the player’s father.

The forward’s transfer from Santos to Barcelona is being probed by tax officers in both Spain and his native Brazil.

Neymar is currently in negotiations with Barca over a new contract but his father, Neymar Sr, says his son will leave the country if the situation is not resolved, which could pave the way for United to capitalise.

Louis van Gaal’s side were linked with a world-record swoop for the 23-year-old in the summer and remain keen to lure a ‘galactico’ signing.

“We are talking about a contract renewal but we’re waiting to resolve some things that concern us,” Neymar Sr told Cadena SER.

“We can’t have this uncertainty with the tax of not knowing if what we’re doing is right. We need to know if Spain accepts our situation.

“It’s hard for us because we’re receiving many attacks, from Spain and Brazil on matters of taxation. Neymar is a media player and we work his image from Brazil.

“We have to do the right things and I’d like to know if Spain will let us work or we have to leave. I don’t want to use the word ‘persecution’ but if we don’t have a comfortable situation to work we can’t stay in Spain.

“If we are creating big problems for Spain, we can’t be here. We’ve never had such big tax problems.”