Roberto Carlos: I can convince Neymar to leave Barcelona and join Real Madrid

Real Madrid icon Roberto Carlos has made the stunning claim that he can convince Manchester United target Neymar to make the move from Barcelona to the Santiago Bernabeu, should president Florentino Perez hand him a role in Zinedine Zidane's staff. Neymar's future at Barca has been under scrutiny since the summer transfer window on account of his problems with the tax authorities.

Both Neymar himself and his father have confirmed that United did try to secure his services during the summer mercato, after Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte reported that Louis van Gaal was launching a €190m (£143m, £206m) bid to make the 23-year-old star his marquee signing.

Mundo Deportivo reported in December that the Premier League giants, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, were monitoring the situation. The player's father and agent both warned that Neymar would not renew his contract at Barcelona until his tax issues were solved.

Roberto Carlos believes he holds the key to what could turn out to be the biggest transfer story of 2016, if he returns to the Bernabeu in the coming days to work alongside Zidane, who he played with during the Galacticos era.

"I can make Neymar join Real Madrid," the Brazilian said during an interview with Punto Pelota. "Before he moved to Barcelona [from Santos in 2013] I already spoke with him about [a potential move to Real Madrid]. Of course, if the president gives me the opportunity to be at Madrid I will talk every day with him to convince him to come to work with us. We are good friends.

"I have had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club. Soon we will know how if I will collaborate with Zidane's Madrid. It would be a great honour for me to work at Real Madrid with Zidane."