Real Madrid were among the clubs interested in signing Barcelona star Neymar before he signed a new contract with the Catalan club last month, the player's father has confirmed.
Reports in the Spanish press had claimed Madrid president Florentino Perez was keen to usher Neymar down the same path Luis Figo followed at the turn of the century. As well as Barca's Clasico rivals, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have also made moves to sign the 24-year-old.
However, Neymar, who joined the Blaugrana in 2013 from Santos, extended his Camp Nou stay until 2021 in October, warding off any potential suitors for the time being.
"Madrid were interested through intermediaries," Neymar Sr. revealed in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on Thursday having previously said there was zero chance of his son joining Los Blancos.
"I always said the same thing to everyone: if Neymar leaves Barca, you have to pay the €190 million release clause, plus the taxes on that money. And with everything else, it would end up being €430m."
Despite the interest and the money on offer from other parts of Europe, Neymar's father insists the player's head was never turned.
"The offers didn't reach him; they came to me. I know what Neymar wanted and that was to stay," Neymar Sr. continued.
"I receive a lot of people in my office in Brazil: sponsors, people keen to support the Neymar Institute ... and of course, some people come to know if Neymar has a future at another club.
"But I'm very clear on this: To get him away from Barcelona, you have to try to take away the happiness that he has here. If he wanted to chase financial benefits, everyone knows he would not be at Barca. But Neymar is happy where he is and has made some strong friendships.
"Neymar never had any doubts about staying. The only doubts there could have been were on my part, as a businessman and his representative, but I didn't have any doubts, either, because I know him and I know he's really happy here.
"As much as I want to be a successful businessman and make money, what interests me more is my son's happiness."
Neymar's new terms have seen his buyout clause rise from €190m to €200m for the first year of the deal, €222m for the second and it will then increase to €250m for the remaining three years.