Chelsea Transfer News: Neymar Wanted at All Costs Amid Manchester United Rumours

Chelsea are reported to be one of four possible clubs trying to sign Barcelona star Neymar, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich said to be willing to move mountains to land the Brazilian.

The bold claims are made by Spanish outlet Don Balon (h/t Mark Brus of Metro), with doubts about Neymar’s tax evasion case cited as a potential reason for why the forward may want out of the Camp Nou. It’s suggested in the piece that Manchester United, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the other three clubs hoping to capitalise on what has been a difficult spell for Neymar off of the field.   

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The player’s father has previously hinted the Brazil skipper may leave Barcelona should these issues continue, per Cadena Ser (h/t Sky Sports).

Another intriguing factor is the ongoing contract negotiations between Neymar and Barcelona, which are beginning to become a little drawn out. As reported by the Press Association (via the Guardian), the player’s father did reveal to Cadena Ser discussions between the two parties had begun, but there are currently “outstanding issues which concern us.”

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez noted Neymar Sr. is talking too much, which is having an effect on Neymar's image:

If a club like Chelsea were opportunistic and able to lure Neymar away from Barcelona, it’d be some coup. The young forward is no longer the capricious upstart who thrilled and frustrated at Santos, he’s now grown into one of the most effective attacking players in world football and someone who thrives under the pressure of that mantle.

Obviously, he’s a player Chelsea could do with, especially in their current state. As noted by FourFourTweet, goals have been pretty hard to come by for a lot of Blues players this season:

Even so, it’s a move which is never likely to materialise. Despite problems with taxes and contract renewals, Barcelona will not want to lose Neymar. At the moment, he’s one of the best players on the planet and a forward who is making decisive contributions in almost every game. That’s a luxury the Blaugrana cannot afford to relinquish.

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For the future, he’ll be vital, too. There will come a day when Lionel Messi has to concede the position as Barcelona’s talisman, and in the majority of sides, that’d be a void almost impossible to fill. However, in Neymar, the Blaugrana are lucky they have a player who seems to be a ready-made replacement.

As ESPN Stats & Info note here, like Messi, Neymar is an all-encompassing attacking threat for the European champions:

Although Chelsea, despite their current predicament, are a club with the gravitas and riches to attract some huge players, some stars in the elite bracket are even beyond them. Neymar is one, and provided Barcelona do not want to sell their No. 11, it’s unlikely any amount of money would convince them to do so.

Neymar seems to love playing his football at the Camp Nou, and despite all of the furore off of the field, getting that enjoyment is the most important thing for young men like him. With that in mind, it would be a huge surprise if the 23-year-old went anywhere in the next few years.