Barcelona star Neymar is being linked with a summer move to England
According to Spanish newspaper Sport and the Express, Manchester United are set to meet the £173million release clause in the contract of Barcelona star Neymar this summer.
The report suggests that Neymar may be unsettled at the Nou Camp because of an uneasy relationship with Barcelona’s star player Lionel Messi.
There was always talk that the Brazilian may find it hard playing second fiddle to the Argentine. However, the pair seems to have had a comfortable relationship in recent years.
One of the best players in the world
Brazilian international Neymar is one of the world’s best players. However, at Barcelona, he will always be in the shadow of the majestic Messi. The little Argentinian is the club’s talisman and hero. While Messi is still at the club, Neymar will never be the number one star of his team.
The Brazilian was the star at Santos prior to his move to Spain and he is the star of the Brazilian national side. However, that will never happen if he stays in Catalonia with Messi. In fact, the forward is annually competing against Messi and Uruguayan star Luis Suarez for top billing at the Nou Camp.
Neymar seems to crave the opportunity to prove that he is the best player in the world. At Barcelona, he is not even considered the best player in the team.
The Brazilian star and his two fellow South Americans seem to have a good relationship both on and off the pitch. Neymar claimed at a recent press conference that Messi helped him settle at Barcelona and that the pair are good friends.
However, there have been stories of a fallen out in recent weeks over little things here and there. Those reports may have been caused by outsiders wanting to manoeuvre a deal in some way, though.
He would be a star in the Premier League
Manchester United may be the Premier League club mentioned in the Sport report, but the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with a summer move for the forward. All three English clubs have owners reportedly willing to meet Neymar’s release clause.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reported to have offered Blues boss Antonio Conte the chance to sign Neymar by meeting the release clause in the Brazilian’s contract. The Italian will be looking to strengthen his squad this summer. Whether Neymar is on his wanted list remains to be seen.
No doubt about it Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho will be backed in the transfer market this summer. The Portuguese boss will be looking to add some marquee players to his squad that is for sure.
A switch to the Premier League could prove fruitful for the Brazilian. Although the English Premier League is considered one of the best leagues in the world, all the best players ply their trade in La Liga.
Messi, Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann all play their football in the Spanish top-flight. Neymar is just a star amongst a galaxy of stars in Spain. In England, not only would he be the biggest star in his team, he would probably be the biggest star in the league.
Neymar would get the status and the stage to try and become the best footballer in the world. He cannot do that in La Liga.
Plenty left to achieve at Barcelona this season
Neymar claims that he is in the best moment of his career so far at Barcelona. There is still plenty left for Neymar and his Barcelona teammates to achieve this season, such as winning the Champions League, which the Catalan giants are odds of 11/4 to do.
Neymar played a huge part in the Spanish champions making it through to the last-eight of the competition. He will no doubt be hoping to win the Champions League and help his team catch arch rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga too.
I like the thought of Neymar playing in the Premier League. The English top-flight needs more star players. However, I cannot see the forward turning his back on Barcelona to move to jolly of England, not this summer at least.
Is Neymar a realistic summer target for Premier League teams?
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