Neymar, the outstanding player for Paris Saint-Germain, has agreed to join Saudi Arabia for £77 million, putting an end to the very improbable Manchester United rumors.
We can put this one in the “not going to happen” category. In reality, it was never going to.
When L’Equipe reported at the end of May that Erik ten Hag’s Premier League heavyweights were in talks over a shocking deal for a player who, six years after his eye-watering switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, remains the most expensive player in football history, it sparked many questions and raised many eyebrows.
Then, Neymar was’seduced,’ according to Foot Mercato, a French-based website, by the prospect of reviving his stammering career at Manchester United. Sheikh Jassim’s prospective acquisition only served to fuel the rumours, as a Qatari owner at Old Trafford might foster tight ties with the QIS-funded PSG.
Neymar leaving PSG for Saudi Arabia instead
However, you can now dismiss any lingering rumors that Neymar would conclude the window as a Red Devil player because the BBC is claiming that the Ligue 1 champions have approved a £77 million deal to Saudi team Al Hilal.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Neymar is having a physical at Al Hilal. The Brazilian international is expected to earn a staggering £177 million while playing in the Middle East as well. He knows full well that Luis Enrique’s plans for PSG, who are moving away from the flawed Galactico model after yet another humiliating Champions League defeat, do not include him.
Since Ed Woodward left, Manchester United seems to have taken a similarly uncomplicated stance.
The days of United bringing in aging superstars in pursuit of a final payday are long gone. The average age of Ten Hag’s three summer additions, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, and Mason Mount, is just 23.6. This does not include the returning Jonny Evans.
No Man United move
You may recall that Enrique and Neymar shared the treble in 2015 at Barcelona. But he made it clear over the weekend that there wouldn’t be a happy reunion in Paris.
I won’t discuss my private chats with players because they are private. But pay close attention to my choices,” Enrique remarked as he omitted Neymar from PSG’s lineup for Saturday’s goalless draw with Lorient.
“My choices will reflect my viewpoint.”