Manchester City have joined the battle for Santos starlet Neymar.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are chasing the 15 year-old, but now face competition from cashed-up City, says Brazilian sources. Neymar has the same agent, Wagner Ribeiro, who brokered Robinho’s move from Real Madrid to City.

Meanwhile, Santos coach Marcio Fernandes has openly declared he may soon hand Neymar his first senior start.

Also Madrid are believed to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Neymar’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, lasting until 2011. However Santos, who were not party to that arrangement have secured the players image rights until 2015, securing their ownership of the player and right to a sizeable transfer fee

Neymar is also known as the the “new Robinho”.