Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'could battle Chelsea for Neymar's signature'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 April 2023

Man United 'could battle Chelsea for Neymar's signature'

Manchester United could reportedly make an attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar during this summer's transfer window.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Neymar's situation at Paris Saint-Germain with a view to potentially moving for the attacker during this summer's transfer window.

The 31-year-old has been with PSG since August 2017, representing the French giants on 173 occasions in all competitions, scoring 118 goals and registering 77 assists in the process.

This season, Neymar has 18 goals and 17 assists in 29 matches for the capital outfit, but he has been on the sidelines since the middle of February due to an ankle injury, which ultimately required surgery.

The forward also suffered frustration for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup, with the South Americans eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition by Croatia.

Neymar has another two years left to run on his current PSG deal, with the option of a further year, but there is again speculation surrounding his future in the French capital.

Brazil's Neymar pictured during training on November 20, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea have been credited with an interest in the Brazilian, while according to FootMercato, Man United are also keeping a close eye on his situation in France.

The report claims that the Red Devils made contact with PSG at the start of the year to determine how much it would take to sign him during the summer market.

Man United are currently in takeover talks, with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani seen as the favourite to purchase the club, should the Glazers agree to a sale.

The Qatari banker would allegedly be looking to make some statement signings in the upcoming market, and Neymar's standing in the world of football makes him an attractive proposition for Man United's new potential owner.

Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

The Red Devils will be in the market for at least one new forward this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane viewed as the club's leading target.

However, Wout Weghorst is expected to return to parent team Burnley at the end of the season, while Anthony Martial could be sold, which would strengthen the club's need to sign another attacker.

Neymar was regarded as one of the best players in world football during his time at Barcelona, scoring 105 goals and registering 76 assists in 186 matches for the Catalan giants in all competitions.

The forward won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles and the Champions League during his time at Camp Nou, but he has failed to lift the European Cup at PSG.

There could be a number of changes at the French club this summer, with Lionel Messi widely expected to leave on a free transfer, while Kylian Mbappe's long-term future at the club remains unclear.