Barcelona’s difficulty will be Manchester United’s opportunity as Neymar eyes major wage increase

The time is right.

Manchester United's interest in Neymar could become a lot firmer according to reports in Spain. The Brazil international has gone off the boil in the last few weeks, and while he is said to be happy in La Liga, there is a cloud over his future. The former Santos man is earning a relatively small wage compared to his fellow club superstars at the Camp Nou, and knows several other clubs will be willing to pay him more. Recent contract leaks confirmed that Neymar's weekly basic wage is around £77,000 per week, with a variety of bonuses ensuring he's hardly on the breadline. Contract talks with Barcelona are at an early stage, but the Brazilian is understood to be sussing out what other options may be available to him. The Sun is reporting that the forward is keen on a £300,000 per week offer from Manchester United and PSG, and Barcelona is concerned that they cannot match his demands. The club is already trying to hold onto Lionel Messi, who has found himself embroiled in a tax case and in the Panama Papers, while the expansion of the club's iconic stadium will also be a major drain on finances over the coming years. Manchester United have long looked to Neymar as a key signing, but any move for the 24-year-old will only become a reality if Louis van Gaal's side reach the Champions League. Barca may be willing to sell the striker if they receive an adequate offer, that comes close to matching his gargantuan £144million release clause.