Real Madrid has apparently upped the ante in its pursuit of Brazilian star Neymar.
According to Tribal Football, club President Florentino Perez is looking to pitch a high sum for the services of the 21-year old. The publication notes that Los Blancos attempted a bid for Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale, but found his price too high.
"Perez has a high ranking Real official on Brazilian soil this week attempting to find a way to trump Barca for the Santos star," writes the publication. "Real would be prepared to cover the €10 million penalty clause Santos would have to pay Barca if they chose to sell him to the Madrid giants."
Soccer Lens recently published an article stating that Real Madrid was willing to supposedly offer a record 100 million Euros to Neymar's current club Santos.
Real Madrid's interest likely stems from a desire to outbid rival Barcelona. Los Cules have been widely linked with Neymar and apparently had a pre-contract agreement in place.
Santos recently announced that it would delegate Neymar's transfer rather than allowing the youngster to sign with a club independently.
"Our intention has been for him to stay beyond 2014. But he thinks his time at Santos and in Brazil is at an end," said Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues. "Now's the time for the speculation to start and for offers to come in. If they arrive, both Neymar and ourselves will have decisions to make."