Football Talk - Five clubs agree Neymar fee
Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has confirmed that five clubs have agreed to pay Neymar's €45 million release clause. The clubs - reported to be Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala - will now be given permission to speak to Neymar.
"We don't want to sell the player, but of course there is a release clause in his contract that can be paid," the Santos chief told ESPN Brasil. "Five European clubs have offered to match the clause.
"I cannot name them because there is an agreement between Santos and the clubs, but they are the most important European clubs. They have asked to speak to the player and obviously we've allowed them to. 
Chelsea had seen a number of bids rejected for Neymar last summer before the 19-year-old Brazil international signed a new long-term deal with Santos. The news comes just a day after Ribeiro said he was confident that the forward - who helped Santos lift the Copa Libertadores earlier this month - would opt to stay at Santos.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult for him to move on," he said. "These clubs can come and make their offers, but if he wants to stay at Santos then he'll say no and stay at Santos."
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