One of the biggest names in football, Neymar, who has been continually linked with Newcastle United since the PIF took over at St James’ Park has handed in a transfer request to PSG.
According to L’Equipe in France, Neymar has told Paris Saint-Germain chiefs that he wants to leave this summer.
While there has never really been any noises from the club indicating an interest, Newcastle’s name often comes up in the Neymar conversation mostly due to journalists connecting the dots between “world’s richest club” and a ridiculously expensive player.
Newcastle were linked to Neymar in May after the PSG fan protest
Newcastle were credited with an interest in the ‘world-class‘ forward at the start of May after hoards of angry PSG fans surrounded his home demanding he should leave the Paris club.
Neymar reportedly has his heart set on a move back to Barcelona this summer, but whether that would be possible is, at least from the outside looking in, unlikely. Although the Spanish giants always seem to find away despite their well-documented financial position.
The PIF, at least according to journalists, want a huge statement marquee signing for Newcastle and those reports always point to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Eddie Howe has made it abundantly clear he wants nothing to do with the former, but he’s never spoken out against the latter other than to say Newcastle couldn’t afford him.
PIF could still get Neymar this summer
Of course Newcastle are already bumping up against FFP restrictions so signing a player who is currently on £606,000-a-week (SalarySport) is a huge stretch.
The PIF could still get their man, however, given that they now own four Saudi Pro League clubs who are hoovering up top talent on ridiculous wages like nobody’s business.
Perhaps if Neymar can’t get his move to Barcelona he’ll go and join Cristinao Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Fabinho and Allan Saint-Maximin in Saudi Arabia.
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