We may have been pitted against Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan when UOL Esporte claimed we were interested in David Neres, but the Brazilian has given Marcel Brands a welcome boost in an interview with Lance.
That’s because the 5ft 7in ace has supported claims UOL made, suggesting we could stand to benefit from his representative – super-agent Kia Joorabchian –and his ties with the decision makers at Goodison Park, having helped to bring Richarlison and Bernard to Merseyside.
Neres did not confirm where we currently stand in any discussions, it has to be said, but when quizzed by Lance on the interest shown by Milan and us, he stated that he is leaving the talks over his future to his team.
“My focus is totally connected to Ajax,” he said. “My businessmen take care of this part of proposals and polls. I do not get caught up thinking about it now, because I know I have to be in the headlines in the competitions we are playing, and that my role has to be done here in Ajax and then think about other flights.”
Neres did not hit the headlines for his performance against Willem II at the weekend, however, as the 22-year-old – likely to fetch upwards of €45million (£38.7m) in the summer – failed to add to his ten goals and ten assists for the term.
He is keen to consistently stand out at the Johan Cruijff Arena, though, in order to stay in the mind of Tite ahead of the Copa America, having made his international debut when Brazil beat the Czech Republic in March.
“It was a great emotion, being part of those two games, being in concentration with big players was very important to me,” the right-winger added. “I think I left a flea behind Tite’s ear and hope to be in the Copa America [squad].
“I see that I am on a very good crescent. Here [in the Eredivisie] football is very different from what we practice in Brazil, the strength is very pronounced, and this changes a lot the way to play. I believe I am getting more and more adapted and I hope to always stand out for Ajax.”