Chelsea is in pole position to sign Santos starlet Neymar are hoping to sign the striker when the January transfer window reopens.
The Blues now appear favourites to clinch the signature of the Brazil international after Santos suffered a breakdown in relations with interested parties Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Santos president Luis Ribeiro angrily denied claims that Neymar was on the verge of agreeing a pre-contract agreement with Real, while he is also accused Barcelona of delaying tactics.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is now ready to take advantage of the situation and meet the teenagers £40m buyout clause the West London club held preliminary talks with the Brazil side in August.
But Ribiero has said Neymar is close to agreeing a new deal, however, this could be a tactic to get reported suitors to firm up their interest.
"He is closer to a contract extension than to a move abroad," said Ribeiro.
"He will sign a new contract. He has a very good salary at Santos and we're confident that he will stay in Brazil.
"We expect him to sign shortly. We are working hard on this and expect news in the near future."
He added: "Neymar hasn't signed anything with another club as that would be illegal.
"He has an ongoing contract with us and I'm sure that [Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez wouldn't do anything like this as he knows the potential consequences.
"We will not hesitate to report them to FIFA if there's proof that there's a pre-contract, but I don't think we have to go that far, because there's no signed pre-agreement."
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