What is the only way Neymar can move from PSG to MLS this summer?

Paris Saint-Germain’s first Ligue 1 game of the season is just around the corner but their preparations for the new campaign have been thrown into chaos by constant speculation surrounding the futures of their two biggest names. Both Kylian Mbappé and Neymar are at odds with the club’s owners and could leave the French capital before the close of the summer transfer window.

Former Barcelona star has offers on the table

As things stands, the Brazilian looks considerably more likely to be on his way out the door, with plenty of talk that he himself sees his future elsewhere and that the club aren’t prepared to persuade him otherwise.

According to Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, both PSG and Neymar’s entourage are working to find a possible escape route for the 31-year-old, who has spent the last six years in Paris. Romano revealed that Neymar has offers on the table from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and MLS, with the fact that close friend Lionel Messi is now playing in the United States seemingly making a move back across the pond a realistic possibility.

Neymar must negotiate PSG release

However, the only way in which Neymar could move to MLS now is if he does so as a free agent. The league’s Secondary Transfer Window closed on Wednesday 2 August, the date until which teams could request the International Transfer Certificate of a player under contract in another country.

Until when can MLS teams sign players?

If the Brazil star is able to negotiate his release from PSG, however, the clubs stateside would have until 13 September to bring him in, which is the date of the Roster Freeze (i.e. until which point they can sign free agents). Should the Ligue 1 champions insist on a “normal” transfer, as would be their right, then the earliest the former Barcelona star could move to the US would be in December, in time for the 2024 season.