In an effort to sign one of the best soccer players today, Manchester United reportedly made a £140 million transfer bid for FC Barcelona player Neymar.

Metro said the Barca player's agent Wagner Ribeiro was seen at Old Trafford as United went against Newcastle on Saturday. This made speculations stronger that United's manager, Louis van Gaal, is very much interested in signing the soccer star.

However, a recent update from the Telegraph revealed that the club is willing to press a higher bid in the amount of £240 million just to get the Brazilian player.

"United must first meet Barca's £130 million buy-out clause. Tax add-ons would then push the fee up to £165 million. Add on the £75 million that Neymar would apparently make over the course of a five-year deal and - hey presto - you have an eye-watering £240 million squids," the Telegraph explained.

The 23-year-old Neymar could, on the other hand, demand for £300,000 per week compensation, but United is reportedly positive that they can grant him his asking amount using the proper marketing strategy.

In a similar report, the Independent noted that Manchester United is very much ready to "award him a five-year contract worth an incredible £75m."

But this will reportedly be rejected by Neymar's current team, who said they are also looking into signing the football player to a long-term contract.

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu expressed that Neymar is happy where he is right now.

"Neymar feels great at Barca. We'll have renewal talks later. We want him to stay for years and even to retire here," he said.

The president also added in a Goal report that their club does not intend to sell one of their best players.

"We do not want Neymar to leave. He is young and we want him to retire here at our club. We will discuss Neymar's renewal in some months' time as he must stay here - not only for the next three seasons, but for the next five or 10," he added.

In 2013, Neymar became part of Barca after his Santos stint, but reportedly struggled during his first games due to health problems and transfer issues.

But Neymar improved in recent years, with Goal saying that as captain of his team, he was able to net "39 times in 51 matches in all competitions as the Blaugrana won the Spanish title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League."

But as updates of this rumored transfer continue to come in, both clubs are certainly hoping that they will be able to get Neymar.