Top Brazil representative validates Genuine Madrid superstar almost signed for
In a candid interview with AS, distinguished football representative Andre Cury opened up about his involvement in some of football’s most significant transfer deals in recent years.
Known for playing crucial functions in the transfers of top Brazilian talents like Neymar and Vinicius Jr., Cury shared a revealing backstory about how close Vinicius concerned joining Barcelona before signing for their biggest rivals, Real Madrid.
The representative revealed that Barcelona had whatever in place to sign Vinicius Jr. when the player was still a teen.
Cury, who was dealing with the Catalan club at the time, discussed that they had actually even convened with Vinicius and his representatives, and the decision appeared to be heading in Barcelona’s favour up until things unexpectedly altered.
“We met Vinicius and his agents. Whatever was prepared for him to become a Barcelona player,” Cury stated.
“However at the last moment, his household and representatives changed their minds. It wasn’t a really transparent choice, but that’s how football works.”
Vinicius ultimately signed for Genuine Madrid in 2017, although he was officially unveiled a year later on after turning 18.
Genuine Madrid’s consistent chase for Neymar
Genuine Madrid made a number of attempts to sign Neymar. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Cury also discussed how Genuine Madrid had actually shown a strong interest in Neymar when the Brazilian was still at Santos. In fact, he exposed that Madrid were prepared to pay EUR100 million more than Barcelona to secure Neymar’s signature.
“Madrid offered EUR100 million more than Barcelona for Neymar,” Cury said.
“However Neymar selected Barcelona, with our aid, naturally. If I had been working for Madrid, perhaps he would have gone there rather,” he added, chuckling.
Even after Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid remained keen to sign him. During those talks, Vinicius was regularly discussed as a potential part of the deal.
Cury kept in mind that PSG valued Vinicius highly and frequently asked for him in exchange, particularly when Madrid were pursuing both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
However, no contract was ever reached. “PSG didn’t wish to release Neymar or Mbappe,” Cury explained.
“And Madrid didn’t want to part with Vinicius. It ended up being a circumstance of ‘I will not offer you this player if you won’t provide me that one.’ PSG played it really wisely,” he kept in mind.