MADRID — Barcelona Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted that the Catalan club will be in the running to sign Brazilian striker Neymar if and when he decides to leave Santos. The Spanish league leader has been following the 21-year-old Brazilian international for some time and could make a bid to land him this summer despite the fact that his contract with Santos expires in 2014. "He is a player that all managers would want," Bartomeu told Barcelona Televisio. "When he says we want to leave Santos, Barca will be there trying to sign him." Indeed a 10 million euro payment in Barca's annual accounts attributed to 'signed commitments' has been rumored to have been a down payment to Santos. However, Bartomeu denied that any move for Neymar would inevitably result in David Villa leaving the club. Villa has struggled to find a regular place in the side since returning from a broken tibia at the start of the season and Spain's all-time leading scorer has been closely linked with a move to Arsenal come the summer. Bartomeu is hoping that is not the case, although he accepted Villa would not be kept against his will. "The coaches want him to stay next season and those thereafter, but neither will we keep hold of a player who is uncomfortable." McClaren quits Twente Steve McClaren has quit as coach of struggling Eredivisie club FC Twente after the team began 2013 with four draws and two defeats to slip from joint league leader to fifth. McClaren, who led the team to its first ever league title in 2010, said Tuesday the recent form slump prompted him to walk out on a contract that ran until 2014. The former England coach said: "The club is bigger than any one individual and Twente is too big in my heart to stand in the way of its progress." Twente lost 2-1 to struggling SC Heerenveen Saturday to seal McClaren's fate. ‘Beckham to start in Cup test' Paris Saint Germain's new star recruit, English veteran David Beckham, will start in the French Cup round of 16 encounter against rival Marseille, coach Carlo Ancelotti said Tuesday. “Yes, Beckham will start in the position of (suspended midfielder) Marco Verratti,” Ancelotti told reporters before Wednesday's game. “It's an important position,” added Ancelotti. “Beckham must help make the play and defensively have a good tactical position on the pitch — he will have the same things to do as Verratti,” said Ancelotti, who believes the 37-year-old still has plenty to offer. “Can he still take corners and freekicks? He has the quality to do so,” said the Italian. “Beckham can play a whole match, he has the quality to play in the middle of the park.” The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, on a five-month contract, made a cameo debut appearance from the bench at the weekend, setting up the second goal in a 2-0 league win over Marseille which put the capital club three points clear. — Agencies
