Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Neymar: PSG star tells Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez his Barcelona decision
NEYMAR has snubbed the chance to join Real Madrid because he wants to move from PSG to Barcelona, reports say.
Neymar WON'T transfer to Barcelona claims pundit
Neymar has been linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona this transfer window, with his PSG future up in the air.
The Brazil international could leave the Parc des Princes for a new challenge elsewhere, having been left thoroughly underwhelmed by his two years in Ligue 1.
Neymar moved to PSG not only to escape the shadow of Lionel Messi but also to prove himself as a world-class star in France.
But with the Champions League trophy evading the Ligue 1 giants, the 27-year-old is already contemplating a move away.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has long dreamed of signing the player.
However, Catalan newspaper Sport say Neymar has told Perez via his father he does not want to join Los Blancos.
The report says Real have made an offer ‘like something from a science fiction movie’ in a bid to entice the Brazilian.
But Neymar has said no and only dreams of playing at Barcelona once again.
Sport say Real Madrid are now solely focused on landing Eden Hazard, while also daring to dream of Kylian Mbappe.
Regarding Barcelona, and the locker room of the La Liga giants are open to the idea of Neymar joining them.
But some movement may be required first.
Barcelona are looking to sell Philippe Coutinho, who may still fetch a premium price having toiled since his move from Liverpool in January 2018.
And Ousmane Dembele may be sold too, with the France international failing to sufficiently replace Neymar during his two years in Catalonia.
Meanwhile, Neymar has been ruled out of the Copa America after suffering an ankle injury.
The Brazil international hobbled off after just 21 minutes after being tackled in a friendly against Qatar.
"After suffering a sprain in his right ankle during Wednesday's game against Qatar, Neymar was evaluated and subjected to complementary imaging tests that confirmed a ligament rupture in the ankle," the CBF said in a statement.
"Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will not have the physical conditions and sufficient recovery time to participate in the Copa America Brazil 2019.
"As of this Thursday, the technical committee of the Brazilian National Team will begin the definition of a substitute."