Bartomeu says Vilanova wanted to bring Neymar to Barcelona early

Bartomeu says Vilanova wanted to bring Neymar to Barcelona early

Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the reason Neymar was signed one year earlier than planned was because Tito Vilanova requested the signing was brought forward. 

The inference is that doing so meant the transfer cost much more than expected.

Barcelona's president's comments came on February 13 when he was speaking in court with regards to the ongoing Neymar transfer case. 

Since then, it has been suggested that Bartomeu and former Barça president Sandro Rosell could eventually be handed prison time for the way the total value of the move was hidden. 

Bartomeu's comments to Pablo Ruz have added further depth to the case. 

"In 2013, there was a request from the manager, Tito Vilanova, to bring Neymar a year early," he said. 

He explained that it was that request which led to a more expansive, and ultimately more costly, operation. 

"It was Sandro Rosell that led the talks with Neymar's father," Bartomeu also said. 

Clearing himself of any responsibility, Barça's current president pointed to Rosell's involvement in conducting the negotiations between the club and Neymar's family. 

Another of the most surprising quotes to emerge from the recording was the comparison between Neymar and David Beckham (from his Real Madrid days). 

"I always point to the example of Beckham," Bartomeu said, adding that the club wanted a "media player" who could bring "a lot of sponsors"

"We haven't signed players like Neymar [before], he's not just a footballer, but a world star."