Neymar is held in high esteem by City boss Roberto Mancini with the Italian previously urging the club to do everything in their power to bring the 19-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.
Hair we go: The Brazilian is set to move to Real Madrid in January
Mancini's confidante at the club, coach Attilio Lombardo, has been to South America and reported back that Neymar can have a similar impact at City as a teenage Wayne Rooney had at Manchester United.
Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea were also in the race to sign Neymar, although the Brazil international snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
In with the old: Neymar with David Beckham before Sunday's MLS play-off
Samba beat: Neymar has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football
But according to reports in Spain, Neymar has now turned down the chance to move to England altogether after putting pen-to-paper on a mega deal at the Bernabeu which will make him the third richest player at the club behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
Real Madrid will pay Santos ?20m in a single down-payment before the end of the year with the remainder of the fee paid in instalments.
?Get Neymar! Manchester City to hijack Real Madrid's ?50m move for Brazilian starOn me 'ead, son! Mancini keeps cool as City head towards knockout stageVillarreal 0 Manchester City 3: Ice cool City as Toure double sees them flying in Europe
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail