United 'made world record bid for Neymar'

Manchester United made a world record bid of £140m for Barcelona superstar Neymar last summer, according to the Brazilian’s father.

During a court case this week Neymar Sr made reference to the stunning bid but did not reveal which club had made it.

But the striker's father told later Spanish radio station COPE: "Manchester United is the side that offered £140m for Neymar.

"He still has two years left on his contract but you can all be calm as my son is so happy here."

Neymar is 'so happy' at Barcelona

Neymar's father was in court as part as a civil case brought against him, the player's former club Santos, and Barcelona, by a Brazilian company - DIS - over the fee paid for the striker in 2013. The company owned 40 per cent of the player's sports rights.

Neymar - who finished third in the Ballon d'Or vote behind team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo - and his father deny any wrongdoing.

The world record fee is the estimated £85m Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale so United's bid - if true - would have smashed that.

United did not sign anyone in the January transfer window and have not made a comment on Neymar's father's claim.