Last month it was reported that five offers for Neymar had been accepted by Santos, with the usual suspects among the bidders: Real Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City, according to Veja magazine.
However, the other team was not one you would expect to see in for a player of Neymar’s calibre: Anzhi Makhachkala. The Russian side are owned by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, and have launched an ambitious bid to sign the young striker.
Now Carlos, who played for Real between 1996 and 2007, says the bid from Anzhi is a serious one, and that he has spoken to 19-year-old Neymar about the possibility of a surprise move.
Speaking to Russian newspaper Sport-Express, Carlos said: “I really have spoken to Neymar about this. I told him about Anzhi’s project and about the terms Kerimov is prepared to offer.
“We now have to wait for the end of the Copa America, when he must decide his future. We have already been in touch with the president of Santos to make an offer to the club.
“Now I am in constant touch with Neymar. We talk every day. He really could sign for us, because no other club has an effect on Neymar like Anzhi! Now it is all up to him.”
Carlos believes it is time for Neymar to move on and develop his talents away from Santos. However, even if the young striker opted not to join Anzhi, Carlos is convinced he would succeed wherever he chose to play his football.
“He is a footballer of the highest quality, and he needs to continue to grow as a player. I think he needs to leave Brazil right now and personally I have no doubt he could play in any team – in Russia, Spain, Italy – anywhere!”
