Manchester City's Rumoured Brazilian Target Refutes Barcelona Talk

Brazilian striker Neymar has denied reports of a pre-contract agreement with Spanish giants Barcelona. Reports from Spanish newspaper AS suggested the 20-year-old would join the Nou Camp side either in the summer or after the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Brazilian has been linked with a number of top European clubs, including Spanish champions Real Madrid and European champions Chelsea. Premier League champions Manchester City were also interested, according to Goal.com, with newly appointed director of football Txiki Begiristain (a former Barcelona official) believed to be leading the charm offensive.

"I don't have a contract with Barcelona or any other team. The only contract I have ever signed is with Santos and I'm happy there. This is a huge club and I have a contract here until 2014. The most important thing is to be happy, and I am at the moment, I'm with my family, my friends and my club. My aim now is to help Santos and to help Brazil, and with hard work I'll be the best," Neymar explained, in a report by Spanish newspaper AS.

AS earlier also reported Barcelona have already paid €10m (approximately £8.3m) to Santos as part of a €40m (approximately £33.2m) deal to bring the striker to the Catalan giants. However, while refusing reports of a move in the near future, Neymar was quick to admit he did want to play in Europe at some stage in his career.

"That moment will come because I have the dream of playing in Europe since I was a kid, but that moment hasn't come yet. Today, I don't see myself playing for any other team [than Santos]," he explained.

Milner Happy to Lead City to Win at Arsenal

Meanwhile, City midfielder James Milner has admitted to being delighted with the champion's win at the Emirates. Roberto Mancini's men eased to a 2-0 win over Arsenal, in a high-profile Premier League fixture on Sunday. The win was City's first in 37 years at the north London club.

"This is a tough place to come and we've not had much success in this fixture over the years so we wanted to put that right today and travel home with three points - which we did. I was happy to get my name on the score-sheet," Milner told City's Web site after the game.

"I found a pocket of space to run into and it was a great ball from Carlos who found me and I just thought, why not? Luckily enough, it went in," the England international added.

Milner now has three goals in 12 league appearances for the club this season.