Manchester City made the first move to bring striker Neymar to the Premier League during the friendly game between England and Brazil on February 6.

City's executives Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano visited the IMG box at Wembley in order to contact Neymar's family and representatives, the Daily Mail reports.

The sports media business have looked after the young star's off-field image rights and career guidance since last July, and were also taking care of Neymar's family during their visit to England two weeks ago.

The 20-year-old sensation, whose contract with Santos expires in 2014, is expected to command a huge transfer fee this summer and a move to a top European club is on the cards.

However, Manchester City are not the only ones looking to acquire the latest Brazilian wonder with Barcelona posing the biggest threat for his signature to the club with the biggest spending power in the Premier League.

As Spanish tabloids like Mundo Deportivo or Sport report today, one of Barcelona's executives could have leaked that Neymar has already signed a contract and will join the Catalans at the end of the season.

Jaume Llopis, former footballer and current member of Barcelona veteran's team, declared to a radio program that a source from the club had announced the bombshell.

“Today, an executive member of FC Barcelona told me that Neymar was signed and they are going to boost the Brazilian market. I can't say the name of the executive, but it happened today at 2pm,” Llopis said.

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