Neymar to Manchester United is ‘impossible and absurd’ – Jose Mourinho

A stunning report in Spain’s Sport newspaper on Monday morning claimed United are ready to pay the Brazilian forward’s €200m (£172m) release clause.

However, Mourinho insisted it would be “absurd” to expect the United board to spend such an amount on one player.

"It's speculation. I always try to be objective and pragmatic with clubs and to ask them what they can give me. To ask for Neymar is absurd," Mourinho told ESPN Brazil.

Neymar has flourished this year and has provided 23 assists on top of scoring 14 goals for Barcelona this season.

The Brazilian was integral to Barcelona’s stunning comeback against PSG in the Champions League, and is widely tipped as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne at the Catalan club.

Mourinho’s comments ultimately pour water on the fire of what would be a ground-breaking deal, with the United boss claiming Barca cannot afford to lose the 25-year-old.

"A club like Barcelona can not and will not lose Neymar. Although Messi is still a young player with years ahead of him, he's almost 30, and Neymar will be the great player of Barcelona post-Messi.

“So much that I think it [trying to sign Neymar] is like trying to break into a safe, impossible."