Griezmann, the key that could open the Madrid door for Neymar
If the French striker opts to move to PSG, it may be the detonator for Al Khelaifi to finally consider a Neymar move to Real Madrid.
Neymar's name once again is heavily linked with Real Madrid with Antione Griezmann's announcement on Tuesday that he is leaving Atletico Madrid potentially pivotal in any move for the Brazilian to the Spanish capital.
With everything pointing to the former Atleti striker moving to Barcelona, PSG have tabled late interest in the French international with the Ligue 1 side's sporting director Antero Henrique talking to the striker's family to gauge salary expectations. It's also understood that the Parisian outfit are prepared to offer the player a higher wage than the reported 17 million euro per season and five year deal currently being tabled by the Catalan giants.
€120 million trio
Earlier this week, well connected French daily Le Parisien reported how PSG are plotting a 210 million euro bid to lure Toni Kroos, Isco and Gareth Bale to the French capital. This sum plus the additional 120 million euro that Griezmann's release clause reverts to on July 1st amounts to 330 million euro, the very same figure that PSG have sited necessary in any potential Neymar purchase with the total operation ensuring the Paris side stay withing UEFA Financial Fair Play confines.
Neymar remains a key target for Real Madrid's Florentino Pérez, with the president being accused of failing to deliver superstar players to the Santiago Bernabeu in recent seasons. Despite the imminent arrival of Eden Hazard with whom Real Madrid are expected to conclude negotiations after the Europa League final in Baku on May 29 and the likely arrival of Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt, club president Florentino Pérez remains a huge fan of Neymar- not least because of the marketing opportunities that the 27-year-old would bring in his native Brazil.
One detractor in the operation coming to fruition however is Zinedine Zidane. The French coach is busy preparing the 2019-20 season along with his backroom staff and is hoping to add the names of Hazard, Pogba, Jovic, Eriksen and Ndombele to the already acquired Militao and Rodrygo.