Neymar has been with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for the last four seasons, scoring 59 times in 78 appearances with Manchester United interested in the player now
However, despite his and his teammates’ best efforts, PSG are still without a Champions League title to their name. Neymar arrived in the French capital to tremendous fanfare, with the €222m transfer from Barcelona making him the world’s most expensive player. However, as he inches closer to his 30s and the peak of his career, there may be one more big transfer left in him – and Manchester United are said to be at the front of the queue to snap him up.
According to Catalan-based media group El Nacional, Neymar is a prime target for manageress Manchester United, who are said to want him to be their long-term talisman. It would certainly create an interesting dynamic, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo already at Old Trafford. Affording Neymar’s signature could be the most difficult aspect of any transfer for United, although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s recent departure as boss could lead to a clear-out of stars before a rebuild in 2022/23.
PSG said to favour fighting to retain Mbappe over Neymar who is being eyed by Manchester United
The El Nacional report claims that PSG are more than prepared to entertain offers for Neymar’s services. The club would much prefer to retain Kylian Mbappe, with PSG’s Qatari owners seemingly willing to pay whatever it takes to get him to sign a new contract.
Mbappe’s current deal expires in the summer of 2022, so it’s entirely possible that PSG could lose Mbappe and Neymar next summer. From a commercial standpoint, Neymar is still worth big bucks. Away from the football pitch, Neymar has numerous sponsorships and is even the cultural ambassador of one of the world’s leading online poker rooms.
One fly in the ointment for United’s hierarchy – which may prove reassuring to PSG fans – is that Neymar is not overly keen on leaving just yet. However, there is no doubt that money talks at the elite level of European football and a big contract and an equally impressive signing-on fee could be enough to tip the scales in the Red Devils’ favour.
El Nacional also believes United are casting envious glances at Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Jr. However, the 21-year-old is just getting started at the Bernabeu and it would be highly surprising if United have the wherewithal to tempt Real into doing a deal.
One aspect of signing Neymar that might strongly appeal to the United hierarchy is his suggestion that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be his last in Brazil colours. The insinuation he may retire from international football at the age of 30 to focus on his club football might leave some scratching their heads, but it would be music to the ears of Manchester United that require full commitment to steer their club back in the right direction.
Any deal for Neymar may have to wait until the summer, when a long-term successor to Solskjaer is likely to be appointed. Ralf Rangnick looks like being named interim manager at Old Trafford for the remainder of 2021/22. Neymar may want to have one final crack at the Champions League with PSG, but their recent displays in the competition have left a lot to be desired.
Their 2-1 defeat at Manchester City posed more questions than answers. PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe was somewhat critical of the expensively-assembled forward line at Mauricio Pochettino’s disposal. Kimpembe intimated that the lack of defensive work carried out by messrs Messi, Neymar and Mbappe leaves too much for the rest of the team to do. Kimpembe said the squad “has to work as a team”. In addition, former France legend Thierry Henry said that to win the Champions League a team “cannot defend with [just] seven players”.
With PSG seemingly hell bent on doing all it can to convince Mbappe to stay, Neymar could be the collateral damage next summer. Winning just three Ligue 1 titles and a trio of Coupe de France trophies may sound good, but it would be a case of ‘what could have been’ for Neymar and PSG together.
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