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Real Madrid transfer news: Neymar's ex-team-mate talks up mega-money move
NEYMAR will join Real Madrid if he decides to leave Paris Saint-Germain, according to his former team-mate Yuri Berchiche.
The Brazil international joined the French champions from Barcelona last summer for a world-record fee of £200m.
Prior to leaving the Nou Camp, the former Santos hitman was linked with a shock move to Barca’s bitter rivals Real.
Although Neymar is one year into a five-year contract at the Parc des Princes, talk of the 26-year-old joining the European champion rages on.
Real fiercely denied suggestions that they’re keen on signing the Brazilian last month, insisting they have ‘no plans’ to make a move for PSG’s star striker.
Despite the Spanish giants’ staunch denial that they’re eager to land the forward, Berchiche foresees the Samba star moving to the Bernabeu.
"I see him returning but more in white than in blue and red," the former PSG defender told El Larguero.
"He was very happy at Barcelona. He still likes La Liga because I spoke with him about it, we have a good friendship, and he's a fantastic person.
"If he joins Madrid I wish him the best of luck."
I see him returning but more in white than in blue and red
Neymar ruled out a move away from Paris prior to the World Cup, telling L’Equipe: "All transfer windows, we talk about these things.
"I'm not in a moment to talk about anything.
"Everyone knows what I came here to do, the goals I have.
"Now, my goals is to do the World Cup, not to talk about transfer or not, I spend my whole life, every transfer window, we talk about it, it's a bit annoying."
He doubled down on that statement in July, telling reporters: “I’m one hundred percent with PSG. I got used to the criticism.
"I know what they say about me, I know what I have to do about it but those who are a little closer to me know about the difficulties of being Neymar."
Neymar returned to league action last Sunday in PSG’s 3-0 win over Caen, in which he bagged the opening goal of the game.
He’s expected to lead the line tonight when Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to Brittany to take on Guingamp.