Chelsea transfers: Dani Alves urges Neymar to make Europe switch

Dani Alves has urged Santos striker Neymar to finally make a much-anticipated move to Europe.

The Brazil international, 21, played a part in both his country’s goals in a 2-2 draw with Italy in a friendly in Geneva on Thursday night.

Neymar has been heaving linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester City over the past 12 months, while La Liga duo Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been touted as possible destinations for the striker.

And Barça right-back Alves believes his compatriot should finally take the next step in his career and swap Santos for a club in Europe.

“Brazil has become really too small for Neymar, he must make the jump to Europe,” Alves said.

“I will not say any more about this as it is a subject which is now annoying and boring. Everyone asks me about his future, he knows what he has to do, and those who represent him know it too.

“I am just saying that his future is in Europe, and that whatever he does he will do well, because I appreciate him a lot and I will always support him.”

Unsurprisingly, Alves urged Neymar to pick Barcelona ahead of his other suitors, insisting the Catalan side has been the biggest club in Europe in recent seasons.

“Neymar is not a promising talent, he is a reality,” he added. “If he wants to go to a big team he should only look at the achievements of Barça in recent years.”