Pranav Kannan
Transfer News: Manchester United linked with a sensational move for Neymar Jr
According to French outlet RMC (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United have been linked with a sensational move for PSG superstar Neymar Jr if Cristiano Ronaldo was to leave the club this summer.
Neymar has been tipped for an exit from the Parisian club this summer with his future in the French capital far from certain. If that indeed is the case, then Man United are said to be the favourites in the Premier League for the superstar.
Since making the switch from Barcelona to PSG in 2017, Neymar has been somewhat of a controversial figure in the French capital often riddled by injuries and not able to become the kind of player he was envisioned to become when the switch was made.
Kylian Mbappe has slowly yet surely overtaken Neymar as PSG’s most influential and important player and when Lionel Messi is also present in the team, the Brazilian no longer has the kind of charm he used to possess.
By no stretch of the imagination has Neymar’s performance been bad for PSG. 100 goals and 60 assists in just 144 matches for the French giants is no mean feat. In fact, these are numbers that will be considered world-class for any other player.
Despite this, there is a feeling that the former Barcelona man is absent for the Ligue 1 champions when they need him the most, especially in situations like the latter stages of the Champions League which has led to the downfall of the French giants in the UCL season upon season.
Even this season, a serious injury crippled Neymar’s season when it mattered the most, leading to their early exit at the hands of Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 30-year-old played just 28 games for PSG scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions.
With Kylian Mbappe agreeing to a new long-term deal with the French giants when it looked like he was going to leave, PSG has now secured arguably their most important deal of the summer. This has in turn meant that the hammer could fall on Neymar’s head.
It is being claimed that Man United consider Neymar as a possibility only if Ronaldo was to leave this summer. Whilst the Red Devils don’t seem keen to ship out the Portuguese superstar, if the player wants to leave, it is a different story.
In such a scenario, Man United need to consider carefully the pros and cons of signing Neymar if they are actually interested in him. The Brazilian’s ability as a player is never in question but his injuries are a huge stumbling block.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Lyon ahead of Manchester United in Tyrell Malacia race
- Transfer News: Manchester United really interested in signing Ajax winger Antony
- Manchester United target Christopher Nkunku extends his contract at RB Leipzig
The former Santos man will also definitely not come cheap. Hence, it is up to the decision-makers in the board to take the call as to whether it will be worth signing Neymar or if this is an opportunity that is best passed on.
As fans, it is easy to say that Neymar would be a smart signing for Man Utd. And from the perspective of the creativity and goals he can bring to Old Trafford- it definitely could be a smart move. But it is of the utmost importance that the board doesn’t harm the financial health of the club in the long run.
