Neymar’s representatives have made contact with Chelsea after finding out that he would be free to leave PSG this summer should he wish to, with the 30-year-old deemed surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes.
The Brazilian joined the Parisians in 2017 from Barcelona in a world-record deal in an attempt to step out of the shadow of Lionel Messi, but has since been overshadowed first by Kylian Mbappe and then the reunion with Lionel Messi last summer.
Neymar, Messi and Mbappe are one of the most devastating trios in World football. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Injury and fitness issues restricted Neymar to just 22 Ligue 1 appearances, and he and Messi were booed after PSG were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by eventual winners Real Madrid.
And, as per ESPN, ‘contact has been made with Chelsea, one of the few clubs capable of recruiting Neymar, due to new owner Todd Boehly’s desire to make a big statement in the transfer market this summer.’
However, they add, ‘it remains to be seen if Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel are keen to recruit the 30-year-old.’
Neymar is under contract until 2027, and has a mammoth salary of a reported 43m euros gross in Paris, meaning that any deal certainly wouldn’t have been cheap.
Could Chelsea pull off a deal?
Chelsea are close to completing a deal for Raheem Sterling from Manchester City this summer, but are keen on adding two wingers to their side before the new season.
Previously, that was thought to be one of Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, with one of the two likely to end up at Barcelona and the other seemingly Stamford Bridge bound.
However, the availability of Neymar, a player who Thomas Tuchel worked with at PSG, as well as the keeness for new owner Todd Boehly to make a statement signing, could see a move for the Brazilian take priority.
Read more:
Friday’s transfer rumours: Ake, Dembele, Raphinha, Phillips & more
Summer transfer window 2022: Every Premier League deal completed so far
