Neymar reportedly does not intend to join Newcastle United, despite suggestions that the PSG forward could be set for a move to St. James’ Park this summer.
According to a report by Le Parisien, Newcastle United have come forward with concrete interest to sign Neymar. But the Brazilian has made it clear that he has no interest in joining the Magpies yet, as he insists that he will only leave the French capital for a club of equivalent standing in Europe.
Neymar arrived in Paris five years ago for a transfer fee that remains a world record to this day. While he has won four Ligue 1 titles with PSG, he has failed to emulate his peak form due to one issue or another. The 30-year-old has never made more than 22 top-flight appearances in a single season, while he has also failed to deliver the club’s long-sought UEFA Champions League trophy.
The Brazilian international was even jeered by a section of the PSG fanbase after their Champions League capitulation against Real Madrid. And it has not been a pleasant few weeks in Paris for Neymar, with PSG now reportedly planning to get rid of the former Barcelona forward, as Kylian Mbappe gets set to be ‘the new poster boy’ of the project.
Les Parisiens appear to be heading towards a whole new direction, securing a new deal for Mbappe while landing Luis Campos as the new sporting director. Christophe Galtier will also be in as their new manager after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure. It is reported that the French champions are willing to accept a knockdown fee in the region of €50 million to part ways with Neymar this summer.
Neymar’s super agent, Pini Zahavi, has started pitching his client to elite clubs across the continent in the wake of the recent PSG fallout. But not many clubs can afford his astronomical wages. Juventus have also been linked with a possible move for the Brazilian forward, albeit only for a loan deal.
A romantic Barcelona return has been touted as a possibility, but the Blaugrana are in a financial mess right now. The Premier League duo of Manchester United and Chelsea have also been name-checked, but they are currently focusing on other summer targets. Meanwhile, Newcastle are said to be a potential destination for the Brazilian.
The Magpies are interested in adding Neymar to their fan-favourite Brazilian contingent of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton and are eyeing up a possible summer swoop. It looks like Newcastle’s wealthy new owners want to build gradually with smart acquisitions rather than blow all of their pot on a high-profile name.
However, Neymar is highly regarded as one of the best players ever, having won every major honour under the sun. And it is hard to deny that he would boost their global appeal and brand exposure multi-fold. That said, Neymar does not think Newcastle are a good fit for him with Champions League football not on offer and would want to play elsewhere. It will be interesting to see where he goes after leaving PSG.
