According to reports from Don Balon, Chelsea and Manchester City have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Barcelona star Neymar.
The Brazil international is enjoying arguably his strongest season to date since moving to the Nou Camp in summer 2013, claiming 13 goals and six assists in 14 appearances for his efforts in La Liga and the Champions League combined, but that scintillating form could well bring his Barcelona career to an abrupt end.
The 23-year-old is currently excelling in the absence of Lionel Messi, adding further weight to the long-standing argument that he deserves to be the standard bearer of a top European side rather than simply a support act to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner. Neymar is desperate to claim the accolade himself, but that seems an impossible task whilst playing alongside the Argentina international.
Manchester United were aware of the South American’s concerns during the summer and made a formal bid during the latter stages of the transfer window, believed to be worth a whopping £139million. In an effort to hush their long-term interest, Barcelona have been desperately trying to extend Neymar’s contract past summer 2018 since the start of the season. Despite his public insistences otherwise, the 5 foot 9 forward remains reluctant to sign a new deal.
Taxes are another huge issue for the 67-cap international. Team-mates Messi and Javier Mascherano have both been accused of tax fraud over the last few months – in fact, Messi and his father are facing trail and could even receive jail time – and Neymar Santos Senior, the forward’s father and agent, has revealed that a feeling of ‘persecution’ from the Spanish and Brazilian authorities is one of the issues stalling a new deal at the Nou Camp.
As reported by Sky Sports, he told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser; “We’ve begun contract renewal talks, but there are outstanding issues that concern us, and which need to be resolved. Since we arrived to Spain we have been under attack and it has extended to Brazil. For the last two-and-a-half years, we have had to defend ourselves from accusations.
“We will respect Neymar‘s contract with Barca but regarding the contract extension, we need a deal that gives us peace of mind for Neymar, my companies, and my family. I don’t want to use the word persecution, but if the working environment here is not good, we won’t be able to remain in Spain and will have to leave the country.”
According to Don Balon, however, Manchester United aren’t the only Premier League club looking to take advantage of the situation.
They claim Roman Abramovich ‘is prepared to make any financial sacrifice to reach Neymar if he gets in range’, as the Chelsea owner begins feeling the pressure to appease the fan-base following the Blues’ horrendous start to the season. They’re in 16th place after twelve games, just three points above the relegation zone and 13 away from a Champions League spot.
Likewise, Manchester City are interested, having signed a number of the world’s elite players since the Sheik take-over in 2009 but no true flagship entity that can realise their dream of claiming a first ever Champions League title. Former Barcelona director of Football Txiki Bergiristain, now working in essentially the same capacity at the Etihad, would be an integral figure in making a deal happen.
Neymar Will Not Leave Barcelona In January Transfer Window, Rather To Extend His Deal
I am a Man United fun in Sudan South, am telling you mr Joe Abacha that Neymar will leave to Man United by next year January 2016