Barcelona superstar Neymar ‘offered to Real Madrid’ as cash-strapped Nou Camp chiefs look to balance books

NEYMAR has been offered to Real Madrid for a whopping £148million as cash-strapped Barcelona look to balance the books, according to reports in Spain.

Radio station COPE claims that a Nou Camp broker has approached the Champions League winners over a summer move for the Brazilian striker.

Barcelona are in a financial hole as Neymar and a host of first-team stars demand improved contracts in the face of interest from Europe’s mega-rich clubs.

And the La Liga champions may look to cash in on the in-demand frontman to help keep their title-winning squad intact.

SunSport revealed last year that Manchester United were eyeing a sensational world-record move for Neymar.

And the 24-year-old has reportedly been offered a £23m-a-season deal to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The figure means Neymar’s salary would equate to a staggering £442,000-a-week — a huge increase on his current £70k weekly pay packet.

And internal politics mean Barca are in no position to match that figure.

Nobody at the club can earn more than star man Lionel Messi, meaning the Argentinian would also need a mega pay rise. But Barca cannot afford both.

Neymar has made it clear that his preference is to stay at Barcelona but could be tempted by a move to arch-rivals Madrid if club chiefs looks to force him out.

Zinedine Zidane’s side have a long-standing interest in the Samba superstar and were rumoured to be eyeing a move last January.

COPE reports that any move would see one of Madrid’s own deadly front three sold to fund the deal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of signing a new contract and will not be let go as he is responsible for 80 per cent of the club’s shirt sales.

But Bernabeu bosses could listen to offers for French striker Karim Benzema and Wales ace Gareth Bale.

Neymar notched 30 goals last season helping Barca clinch a domestic double and his current deal is set to expire in 2018.

Madrid are set to spend big this summer in their last window before the start of their two season ban for breaching Fifa rules over the transfer of minors.