Manchester United: Barcelona star Neymar can be successful in the Premier League says Ronaldinho

Brazil legend Ronaldinho has backed Neymar to be a success in the Premier League, if he ever decided to leave Barcelona and make a switch to England. The star forward was linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, but the deal did not take shape.

The 23-year-old admitted in September that he had held talks with Red Devils over a potential transfer to Old Trafford. In addition, his father, Neymar senior, revealed that Louis van Gaal's side were interested in securing the player's signature.

Neymar is involved in an ongoing tax fraud case in Brazil. He has not signed a new deal with Barcelona and his father has claimed that the forward could leave the Nou Camp if the situation in his homeland is not resolved.

Globo Esporte reported the Dutchman was launching a bid to make the South American star his marquee signing of the season. Despite failing to sign him for this term, The Telegraph has reported that United are still interested in securing his signature. And Ronaldinho believes that the Catalan club will see them demand a world record fee in order to sanction Neymar's sale.

"Neymar, currently on form, is the best player in the world. His rise has not surprised me at all. Even when he was a kid his ability was obvious. At the age he is, I still have every belief he can go on to get better and better," Ronaldinho told the Mirror.

"Now he has reached the level of the best in the world, he can stay there for five or six years, comfortably. He could and would succeed at any league in the world. Of course, there are always transition periods. But when you have that much ability you will succeed in any league in any country," the former Brazilian player said.

"England is not an easy league to succeed in, but yes of course he would be a success there. I can't see why Barcelona would want to allow him to leave, but if he was to, I'm sure that it would have to be for a record fee," he added.

Meanwhile, another Brazil legend Lucio told IBTimes UK that Neymar would achieve instant success, if he ever decided to play in the Premier League. It remains to be seen whether the Brazil international will leave Barcelona and join United next summer.