Neymar race hots up as West Ham offer Santos £16m for the 'new Pele'



By Ashley Gray for MailOnline

West Ham have made a £16million offer for Santos wonderkid Neymar.



It emerged this week that the Hammers had joined some of Europe's top clubs in tracking the 18-year-old forward and sources in Brazil say they have now submitted a formal bid.



Potential: Several big clubs are eyeing Neymar

Neymar is keen to eventually test himself in Europe but his father - who also acts has his agent - has reservations about making the move too soon in his career.



The Hammers' stature could also prove unattractive to a player being scouted by the likes of Real Madrid, but a move to Upton Park has the potential to be a stepping stone to Chelsea.



The Blues have tracked Neymar for about two years but have been reluctant to meet the asking price.



Santos have consistently insisted they do not want to sell their jewel for at least another year and have previously indicated they will not do a deal for less than his £28.4m release clause.



However, if they do accept West Ham's offer - surpassing the club-record £7.5m they paid for Craig Bellamy in 2007 - the same deal would be offered to Manchester City.



The Eastlands club secured first refusals on Neymar and 20-year-old team-mate Paulo Henrique Ganso when they allowed Robinho to join Santos on a six-month loan in the winter.



Similarities: Neymar is tipped to follow in the footsteps of Brazil forward Robinho

Any deal is complicated by Santos owning just 60 per cent of Neymar's rights and needing the agreement of an investment group should they accept anything less than the buyout clause.



Neymar has been simultaneously likened to Robinho and the great Pele.



His penchant for stepovers is reminiscent of the Manchester City man and he can play wide left or as a centre forward.



He was the revelation of Santos's march to the Sao Paulo Championship title this year and also helped them to the Brazilian Cup final by hitting 27 goals in 30 games this year.









