Kane saves Tuchel's blushes as England limp past Andorra

What next for Sancho after Chelsea snub?

Eight issues Chelsea must fix in the transfer window

Madrid must loan out Endrick to make room for Mastantuono

Biggest winners & losers as Lionesses name Euros squad

Editors' Picks

Guardiola apologises to Yamal as he makes Messi claim

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: This is Dembele's Golden Ball!

Jamaica told Greenwood decision needs 'acceptance from nation'

Transfers LIVE: Man Utd face Spurs battle for Mbeumo

'Back to reality' for Dyer & Bowen after rainy honeymoon

Osimhen agrees personal terms ahead of Napoli exit

RANKED: Top candidates to replace Ange after Spurs sacking

Rob & Ryan ready to sell stake as Wrexham's value hits £350m

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Neymar's deal with Santos expires on June 30</li><li>Fluminense are looking for reinforcements</li><li>Club president reached out to Neymar</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Neymar receives shock Club World Cup offer from Santos' rivals as ex-Barcelona star approaches free agency

Serie A

Fluminense

Ceara

Fortaleza

Santos FC

<p>Fluminense got in touch with Neymar with a proposal to represent them during the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States. The 33-year-old forward, whose deal with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-santos-superstar-sent-off-blatantly-trying-score-with-hand-brazilian-serie-a-strugglers-lose-against-botafogo-with-ten-men/blt255d9da3ab6822ac#csab361119678839c7" target="_blank">Santos runs through to June 30, </a>has not yet <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/best-2025-free-agents-start-negotiating-transfers-january-ranked/blt60db9fe3de14b200" target="_blank">committed to an extension</a> and is evaluating options both within Brazil and overseas. As speculation swirls around his next move, Fluminense saw a window of opportunity and acted swiftly.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Speaking on the <em>Setor Sul </em>podcast, Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt confirmed that the club had approached Neymar regarding a short-term arrangement focused solely on the Club World Cup. The effort, he revealed, was made in coordination with well-known manager Renato Gaucho, who maintains a personal relationship with Neymar.</p><p>"Yes, I did try to bring in great players. I'm talking about Neymar," he said. "To be honest, Renato Gaucho is a good friend of Neymar. I spoke to him and asked him what he thought about bringing in Neymar. He thought it was great and spoke to Neymar. He was kind, elegant, and told me to speak to his father."</p><div data-name="DAZN" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2a657c326f3152f3/65709dfdfcc91a04075bd960/DAZN.png" class="logo" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN</span></div><a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lfsPh/pubref:CWC" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link">Stream now</a></div>

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

<p>Before reaching out to Neymar’s representatives, Fluminense ensured transparency by contacting Santos president Marcelo Teixeira.</p><p>"I called the president of Santos. I said I wanted authorisation, and he said I could call," Bittencourt revealed. "Neymar’s father was very kind. He didn’t close the doors, he said he would like to hear from him. The idea was to bring him to play in the World Cup.</p><p>"It would be a deal between Fluminense and Santos. If he stays at Santos, it would be the moment when he would no longer play for Santos and would be representing us in the [Club] World Cup with Fluminense. The boards are friends. He said he would think about it, he would talk to the president of Santos."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Despite the gesture and the potential appeal of participating in an international club tournament, Neymar ultimately turned down the proposal. In a FaceTime conversation, he expressed gratitude for the interest but indicated that he intends to use the break in the Brazilian Serie A season to work on his fitness.</p><p>“On FaceTime, he was very polite," Bittencourt said. "He said he was honoured, he was flattered, that it would be a dream to play in the [Club] World Cup, but that his career plan would be to use this month to get in shape."</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>In the 2025 season so far, Neymar has featured in 12 matches for Santos, contributing three goals and three assists. Despite some flashes of brilliance, his campaign has also seen more injuries and moments of frustration, notably a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/neymar-desperation-failed-hand-of-god-attempt-apology-handball-red-card-santos-botafogo/blt64cfd81318e15158#csb87f10f9981eec35" target="_blank">recent red card for deliberate handball against Botafogo</a>, ruling him out of Santos’ upcoming fixture away at Fortaleza on June 13.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

Neymar receives shock Club World Cup offer from Santos' rivals as ex-Barcelona star approaches free agency | Goal.com

Neymar has received a shock Club World Cup offer from one of Santos&apos; rivals as the former Barcelona star approaches free agency.

Next matches