Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed the club had tried to sign Barcelona superstar Neymar before Gareth Bale, reports Goal.com .
Bale became the world's most expensive player when he joined the Bernabeu outfit, however the club only opted to sign him after they missed out on the Brazilian superstar.
Neymar chose to sign for Real's La Liga rivals Barcelona, despite Madrid fighting up to the last minute to sign the star.
Perez was ready to spend €100 million on the forward , however the club's president was told he would need to make an offer in the region of €150m for the superstar.
Madrid eventually signed Welsh international Bale, despite him being the club's second choice.
Bale and Neymar will come head-to-head this weekend in the El Clasicio and will be desperate to help secure three points for their sides.
But who will become the greater success in Spain, Bale or Neymar?