Manchester United Transfer News: Neymar Exit Rumours Not Denied by Luis Enrique

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique refused to be drawn on speculation linking star forward Neymar with a move to Manchester United.

The Blaugrana chief was quizzed on the prospect of a transfer for the Brazil international in the wake of his team’s 1-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao in their first game of the La Liga season. “Talking about Neymar and other clubs doesn't interest me,” he said Sunday, per Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail. “I don't talk about rumours. I focus on what happens in my team.”

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As noted by Gaughan, reports surfaced over the weekend that suggested the Red Devils were keen on a move for the forward, who was critical in Barcelona bagging a trio of trophies last season. It’d certainly be an ambitious move; Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks there is no chance of a deal happening:

But according to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, the player would be keen on the transfer. However, Jackson did note that Neymar may be trying to extract a bolstered contract from Barcelona. Here’s a reminder of why he’d be worth some extra outlay:

Indeed, the winger has grown into a vital part of this Barcelona machine. No longer is he a green, capricious outlet for the Blaugrana, but a devastatingly incisive wide player who creates plenty of chances and scores critical goals in big matches.

United’s interest comes as no surprise. After all, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and teams with that kind of prestige will always target the best players. But given how much Neymar would cost, how important he is to Barcelona and how late it is in the transfer window, it’s tough to see this one materialising.

It’s an opinion that former United defender Rio Ferdinand shares:

The Red Devils could do with an injection of class in attacking areas, and Neymar is a player who’d enrich this side’s title chances enormously. But any time spent on lusting after the Brazil international in this window is time wasted on the part of United, and it’s imperative they move to more realistic targets.

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Old Trafford is still a venue that can attract some of the finest players in world football, and manager Louis van Gaal will be hopeful of bringing in a big name before the window shuts. But even for a team as illustrious as United, the signing of Neymar will be extraordinarily difficult to pull off.