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Manchester United backed to spend Neymar money on alternative transfer target
MANCHESTER UNITED should spend their money on improving their defence, rather than on a mega deal for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, claims ESPN FC expert Gabriele Marcotti.
Neymar has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain after a turbulent two years on and off the pitch.
Manchester United are thought to be one of only a few clubs who could afford the Brazilian’s wages.
Marcotti was asked if United should aim to sign Neymar or instead look at their defence and go after Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
And he says Koulibaly would be the wiser option, especially with how much cheaper he would be than Neymar.
I think there’s a pretty strong argument to make for Koulibaly actually
“Very simply put, if Koulibaly costs you let’s say €100million plus €7m or €8m, maybe even €10m in wages and the other guy’s going to cost you €200m and €45m in wages, I think there’s a pretty strong argument to make for Koulibaly actually,” Marcotti said.
“Also for one other reason, you don’t have all the off-the-pitch issues [that Neymar would bring].
“You’d have a really, really strong back four and if [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer screws up, the new guy comes in and all he’s got to do is go and fix the attack.
“He’s not going to have to go and deal with this Phil Jones, Chris Smalling nonsense at the back.
“He would have a solid base to build on.
“If they cost the same then sure you go Neymar.
“But they don’t, one guy costs you a lot, lot more.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson agrees Neymar would not be worth the hassle at United.
“I wouldn’t have Neymar anywhere near my club,” Robson said.
“The problems you have as a coach, you’ve got to deal with his ego.
“He wants to be the best player in the world.
“I’ve seen him have some great games, I've also seen him in the World Cup with the playacting, doing everything you don’t want from a professional footballer.”