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Neymar transfer news: PSG set asking price amid Chelsea and Barcelona rumours
The 31-year-old has fallen out of favour under Luis Enrique but the Brazilian’s father has insisted that his son will not push for a move.
Brazilian star Neymar Jr. could follow Lionel Messi in leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer as the French champions look for a reset under new coach Luis Enrique.
Last season PSG narrowly secured the Ligue 1 title but underperformed in the Champions League, despite boasting one of the most illustrious forward lines ever assembled. Neymar and Messi were accompanied by French sensation Kylian Mbappé but they trio never truly gelled on the pitch.
Ahead of the 2023/24 season Messi has gone; Mbappé has been put up for sale, and reports now suggest that PSG are willing to sell Neymar this summer.
Sky Sports report that PSG are will to listen to offers between £50 million ($63m) and £80 million ($102m) for Neymar, depending on the prospective buyer.
In recent weeks former club FC Barcelona and Premier League side Chelsea have both been linked with a move for Neymar. However neither head coach - Xavi Hernandez nor Mauricio Pochettino - is thought to be convinced that the Brazilian is the right man for them.
What did Neymar’s father say about a possible transfer?
Neymar Santos Sr. acts as agent and chief advisor for his son and has been instrumental in the two transfers made by the Brazil star so far; from Santos to Barcelona and then the world record deal to take him to PSG.
On Monday Neymar Sr. was asked about an article in French sports newspaper L’Equipe that claimed that his son had asked for a transfer away from Paris. His response was categorical:
“I can’t confirm a piece of news that didn’t happen. L’Equipe is being ‘L’Efake’,” he said.
Neymar Sr. continued: “It came from somewhere, let’s try to understand the intention [of the L’Equipe article].”
Enrique is reluctant to build his new team around 31-year-old Neymar and the Brazilian’s exorbitant wage demands are eating up a sizeable amount of PSG’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) allowance.
Are PSG attempting to unsettle Neymar and push him into a move away from the club? The Brazilian’s father certainly seems to think so. But with time running out in the summer transfer window and little interest from major European clubs, it is difficult to see how the situation is resolved in time for the start of the French season.