Sport
Which Premier League club would be the best fit for Neymar?
Neymar’s world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 changed football forever. It was a statement of intent by the Qatari-owned club in their mission to become a dominant force while the €222m fee paid for the Brazilian inflated the transfer market in a way that is still being felt to this day.
Six years later, though, PSG are reportedly keen to offload Neymar. The 31-year-old’s commitment has been questioned this season and there is a growing sense that he could be pushed out of the Parc des Princes this summer. Premier League clubs have been linked, so what would be the best destination for Neymar?
Chelsea
Recent reports claim Todd Boehly has already met PSG over a potential move for Neymar this summer. The American executive has demonstrated a willingness to bring a billboard star to Stamford Bridge since buying Chelsea last year (see Chelsea’s attempt to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United) and the Brazilian could fit the bill.
However, it’s difficult to envisage how Neymar would fit into Graham Potter’s team. The Chelsea manager wants his team to be proactive out of possession and Neymar’s inability to press has been a source of frustration for Christophe Galtier as PSG boss. Neymar is undoubtedly talented, but he is a luxury player and that isn’t what Chelsea need at this moment in time.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United are widely expected to enter the transfer market again this summer with the Magpies now backed by Saudi Arabian owners. While the club has so far stayed clear of big name signings, there’s no denying Neymar would lift the talent level at St James’ Park. He would be a focal point in the attacking third.
Comparisons would be drawn with Manchester City’s signing of Robinho in 2008, when the club had new money to play with in the transfer market and wanted to show it, but Neymar is a far superior player. Fitness might have been an issue for him in recent times, but at his best he is still one of the very best around. His signing would be a sign of how far Newcastle have come.
Manchester City
If there’s one manager in world football who could fix Neymar, it’s possibly Pep Guardiola. While the pair never worked together at Barcelona, they have a shared experience of the Camp Nou club and that could give them a connection to build on. Guardiola could draw something out of Neymar that several PSG managers have been unable to.
While Neymar’s lack of work ethic has become a problem in recent years, it wasn’t always this way. Indeed, he was required to press and close down opponents at Barca. The environment at the Etihad Stadium could motivate Neymar to achieve a higher level of fitness to take on the Premier League and demonstrate his talent in the most competitive league in the world.
Manchester United
Not so long ago, Manchester United surely would have been leading the pursuit to sign Neymar. That, however, was when the club was guided by its desire to sell shirts and make headlines. Now, Erik Ten Hag has United pointed in the right direction and it’s difficult to envisage how Neymar would fit into his plans.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave Ten Hag a dressing room problem in the first half of the season with the Portuguese forward a disruptive influence. There were also concerns over his inability, or unwillingness, to press from the front, so it’s highly unlikely Manchester United would compromise their recent progress for the sake of some social media impressions by signing Neymar.
