Neymar passed a medical for Real Madrid prior to signing for Barcelona, according to the La Liga club's president Florentino Perez.
"We have a very young team, with great desire and enthusiasm".
The Brazilian's proposed move to Madrid from Santos fell through and in 2013 he ended up singing for Real's fiercest rivals Barcelona.
Perez said on Neymar: "He passed a medical with Madrid".
"But we saw at one point that it was not possible and we withdrew".
Real then turned their attentions to Gareth Bale, and splashed out the big bucks to bring the Welshman in from Spurs.
Bale endured a tough campaign last season, a number of injuries restricting his involvement.
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Real Madrid claimed a second successive Champions League crown this year and now Perez has set his sights on making it three in a row.
Messi has always been regarded as one of the top two players in world football and, since 2009, has been in direct competition with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga.
"Obviously something has happened, something has affected him, his credibility". I'm sure they will resolve that. It hasn't finished yet and I don't want to disturb the Portuguese team.
The Brazil captain joined the Catalan giants four years ago and has since gone onto cement his status as one of the world's best footballers, playing a prominent role in a trophy-laden period of success under the management of Luis Enrique.
Real Madrid defender Danilo will probably leave the Spanish capital in the summer.
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