Chelsea have given up hope of beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to the signing of Santos striker Neymar, manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed.
Chelsea, along with Barca and Real Madrid, have all been keen on signing the 20-year-old for some time, and despite the Brazil international late last year snubbing a move to Europe and signing an improved three-year deal with the South American club, speculation has continued that he will move before his new deal expires.
However, Villas-Boas believes the £40million-rated forward has already chosen who he will play for when he eventually leaves Santos - and he does not believe it will be the Blues.
Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony on Monday night, AVB said: "I think that the Neymar matter is closed and locked in a safe.
"He has decided his future and no one knows where he will go. Unfortunately, he will not come to us.
"What I can say is that there is a lot of talent in Brazil and it is positive that these young players are staying in their country.
"There has been a change in the way that the Brazilian player perceives the Brasileirao and that is important for the growth of the competition.
"Neymar, Lucas and Ganso reflect that change."
Reports in Spain in recent weeks have suggested that a deal with Barcelona has already been agreed - something which the Catalans deny.
