Ranking the 5 Likeliest Landing Spots for Neymar Amid Transfer Rumors
The city of Paris never sleeps.
That also includes the club that shares the namesake, Paris Saint-Germain. It has been all but confirmed that Lionel Messi will leave in the summer, and there is a possibility that another South American superstar could follow suit.
According to a recent report from 90Min, Neymar's exit from PSG seems likely, and Newcastle United has shown interest in acquiring the 31-year-old.
Neymar has had highs and lows in the French capital, from reaching the Champions League final in 2020 to spending more than 100 days out because of injury. But it appears the club and its fans have had enough.
There will undoubtedly be no shortage of teams vying for the Brazilian.
Here are the five likeliest clubs that could enter the Neymar sweepstakes.
Newcastle
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An unfathomable choice two years ago, Newcastle United appears to be a serious suitor for Neymar.
Since being taken over by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben brothers in October 2021, Newcastle has been flying.
The Magpies have spent more than £100 million on transfers and are third in the Premier League, fighting for a spot in the Champions League.
Adding Neymar to Eddie Howe's squad would be a great move, as he would bring outstanding dribbling skills and flair to St James's Park—similar to Allan Saint-Maximin, who is already on the roster.
Neymar would also bring an extraordinary amount of star power, which would be fitting for the project the club is going through.
There are also reports that Neymar would be open to a move to England as well.
Newcastle would be a phenomenal fit for him as he looks to get his career back on track.
Barcelona
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Since Neymar's departure from Barcelona in August 2017, he has been unable to replicate the success he achieved during his time with the team.
Though PSG has won myriad trophies, it has yet to capture a Champions League title despite coming close.
Barcelona isn't at the level to win the Champions League at the moment, but with Xavi at the helm, a solid midfield composed of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi and a team on the verge of winning its 27th La Liga title, there's a chance Neymar could be the piece Barcelona needs to return to glory.
Nevertheless, La Blaugrana will have to figure out how to manage their finances if they desire Neymar.
Manchester United
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Manchester United could be a unique option for Neymar should the Red Devils be interested during the summer transfer window.
United usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, and having a wide player such as Neymar would give it ruthlessness and creativity in the final third.
Neymar could slot into the left-hand side, providing United with a dynamic attacker alongside Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
A move to the red side of Manchester for Neymar is plausible because of the signing of Casemiro.
Casemiro, despite being 31 years old, was recruited by United to address a significant gap in the midfield. Should Neymar transfer to the Red Devils, age would not be a concern as long as he fills a void in Erik ten Hag's starting XI.
Saudi Pro League
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One potential destination for Neymar that may be worth considering is the Saudi Pro League.
While it may not be the most competitive, its top teams have made a concerted effort to attract superstar players.
After Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr and Al-Hilal's reported offers to Messi and Sergio Busquets, Neymar may find a new home in the Middle East.
However, while the money would be enormous, Neymar is still relatively young and has plenty to offer before he starts regressing physically.
A Saudi Arabia move may not happen now, but it could be in the cards in a few years.
Manchester City
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Manchester City, while a delectable option with all its attacking firepower, is probably too far out of reach for Neymar.
It would be incredible to see Neymar play under manager Pep Guardiola and alongside Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, but City doesn't need him.
The Sky Blues already have a plethora of talented, creative wingers who fit Neymar's profile: Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish.
Adding him to the mix would give City depth, but his arrival would push one of those players back to the bench. Neymar would also need a period of adaptation to understand Guardiola's positional play system.
He may be a generational talent, but he would need to adopt a high work rate and positional discipline and come to an understanding with what Guardiola wants on the field.
This is undoubtedly a fun hypothetical, but it seems the least likely of all the options that could be available to Neymar.
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