Neymar claps for medical staff fighting coronavirus
Neymar, not for the first time, is in a state of flux. The PSG star wants to join Barcelona but, because of the coronavirus crisis, they don’t have the funds to secure his return. Real Madrid are also out of the picture, with the Brazil international determined not to burn any bridges at the Nou Camp. So Manchester United or Manchester City could be offered the 28-year-old.
They’d let him go for a big amount of money, not standing in his way, providing he gives them nothing but his utmost commitment and professionalism throughout the course of the campaign.
And while many have been quick to slam the Brazil international, Neymar has lived up to his end of the bargain.
With 18 goals and 10 assists from 22 matches, he’s been PSG’s chief attacking threat this season - even overshadowing teenager Kylian Mbappe.
Yet the world has changed since Neymar struck that agreement with the Ligue 1 giants and Barcelona, at the current time, can’t get him in the door.
The La Liga giants have been hit hard financially by the coronavirus crisis, with players taking a 70 per cent pay cut in order to balance the books.
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And while Barcelona remain one of the wealthiest sides on the planet, even they won’t be coughing up big money to re-sign Neymar three years out of his departure.
Real Madrid, too, are out of the picture.
Los Blancos are set to save their pennies this year. While there’s been talk of them going after Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, Mbappe or Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland neither of those three deals look like happening.
They have a Bernabeu revamp to pay for, too, and Florentino Perez would prefer to go after the Galacticos in 2021 instead.
So that now brings us to Manchester United and Manchester City who, given Neymar’s determination to seek a move away from PSG, could be offered the 28-year-old.
PSG explored the possibility of a swap deal involving the Red Devils but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward politely declined, instead choosing to stick with what they’ve got.
Now, the same could feasibly happen.
However, there’s little to suggest United have changed their minds. Particularly at a time where they’re hoping to usher Jadon Sancho in through the Old Trafford door.
He’s their top target and Neymar, while he’s a big name, would represent a significantly different target for the club.
Neymar: PSG star is admired by Man City boss Pep Guardiola (Image: GETTY)
That said, Woodward has long dreamed of snapping him up. He was on a list of four fantasy targets compiled by the Red Devils supremo back in 2017.
City could be another destination for Neymar.
They’re set to spend big this summer, with Pep Guardiola eager to land the Premier League title once again. The Spaniard was also devastated at missing out on the chance to manage the Brazilian, who joined shortly after his Barcelona departure.
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