Manchester United have reportedly knocked down PSG’s approach for a player plus cash deal that would have seen Paul Pogba and Neymar swap clubs.
According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Premier League heavyweights Manchester United have rejected Paris Saint-Germain’s suggestion to swap star midfielder Paul Pogba for Brazilian superstar Neymar in a player plus cash transfer deal.
Both Pogba and Neymar have made it clear that they have set their sights on a move away from their respective clubs this summer. Manchester United superstar Pogba claimed in an interview that he was ready for a new challenge in his career. The Frenchman has been a top transfer target for Real Madrid, but PSG reportedly made an attempt to sign the 26-year-old.
Having lost Adrien Rabiot and Christopher Nkunku this summer, PSG are eyeing more additions to their midfield department, following the arrival of former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera. The French capital outfit are hoping to mount a serious challenge in the UEFA Champions League and see Pogba as an ideal addition to the ranks to take them to the next level.
To that end, Les Parisiens are believed to be willing to allow Neymar to join Manchester United in a mind-blowing swap deal. It is no hidden fact that things haven’t gone according to plans between PSG and the Brazilian forward since his world-record transfer from Barcelona two years ago.
Neymar has had a number of issues during his stint in France, both injury-related and disciplinary, which have soured things between the two parties to an extent that the Ligue 1 champions are actively looking to offload the former Barcelona star before the 2019-20 campaign kicks off.
A return to Camp Nou has been strongly mooted for the 27-year-old. However, as per the report from the Mirror, PSG offered Manchester a chance to sign Neymar in exchange for Pogba and cash, only to be met with a firm rejection from the 20-time English champions.
While Manchester United could definitely do with someone of Neymar’s world-class abilities in their frontline, the enormous costs that would be involved in bringing him to Old Trafford has deterred them from going ahead with the deal. Moreover, matching his current monumental wages at PSG could create disharmony within the squad over the wage disparity.
Manchester United are believed to be keen on holding on to Pogba despite his public admission of seeking a transfer. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is intent on building his team around the World Cup winning midfielder and pre-season performances have highlighted how important the Frenchman is to the United side.
However, with his heart set on a transfer to Real Madrid, it remains to be seen if he stays a Manchester United player for the upcoming season. As far as Neymar is concerned, it seems like he has completely broken bridges with PSG and a transfer in this window is very much on, with Barcelona likely to re-sign him.
