Chelsea have been linked with an ambitious summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, who is reportedly not keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.
That is according to renowned talkSPORT journalist Julien Laurens (via HITC), who reports that Chelsea are interested in a deal to bring Neymar to Stamford Bridge from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. But the 31-year-old Brazilian international is unwilling to move to west London.
Laurens said to talkSPORT, “Neymar is still there, but ideally, they would like to sell him. Apart from Chelsea really, I don’t think anybody else would welcome him, and he is not too keen on going there.”
Neymar left Barcelona for PSG in a world record £198 million deal back in 2017. However, he has arguably failed to reach the heights expected of him at the French club. If anything, his largely unfulfilled career may well have gone full circle, having been billed as the next Pele when he broke out at Santos, and a future Ballon d’Or winner when he was starring alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona.
The Brazilian has scored 100 goals and provided 60 assists in 144 matches for the Parisians. However, he has been unable to lead them to an elusive UEFA Champions League title so far, with his injury issues playing a major role.
Neymar had endured another injury-hit, torrid campaign in 2022/23. And despite putting up strong numbers – 18 goals and 17 assists from 28 games – he was still on the receiving end of a campaign against him by the club’s ultras.
PSG were initially thought to be keen on the idea of shifting the flashy attacker due to his exorbitant wages. He still has four years left on his contract at the Parc des Princes, and moving him would help the French club ease their fears over Financial Fair Play regulations.
Given the financial commitment it would require, there are only a finite number of clubs able to afford his transfer and wages. And Chelsea’s riches put them in the frame, with owner Todd Boehly understood to be a big admirer of the Brazilian ace, and said to be making multiple enquiries to discuss a high-profile transfer to Stamford Bridge.
The idea of signing one of the world’s most dazzling players would be fascinating for the Blues faithful. Chelsea struggled for goals last season. So even though Neymar is not a natural centre-forward, his creativity, mazy dribbles, and eye for the net may give them a new dimension.
Unfortunately for the West Londoners, the player still wants to stay at PSG, who recently appointed Luis Enrique as their next manager. Neymar and Enrique worked together in Barcelona and won a historic treble in 2015. He scored 90 goals and provided 68 assists in 145 outings under the Spanish tactician.
Following the exit of Lionel Messi and the potential sale of wantaway Kylian Mbappe, PSG are also keen on keeping Neymar around to steer their rebuild. Aside from being linked with one of the world’s most famous footballers, Chelsea have been busy this summer already. The start of the Pochettino era has seen the club bring in eight signings. But Neymar will unlikely add to that.
