Manchester United Transfer News: Neymar Tempted by Move, Latest on James Wilson

Barcelona starlet Neymar has reportedly had his “head turned” by the prospect of a lucrative transfer to Manchester United.

As written by Ken Lawrence of the Sun, the Red Devils are keen to get the Brazilian winger to Old Trafford, and with “money no object,” they are ready to spend big to prise the 23-year-old away from the European champions.

It’d be a remarkable coup for United should such a deal come to fruition. Here’s a look at how Neymar has cemented his status as one of the best players in the world this season:

Everything about the Brazilian has been impressive as of late. Neymar has combined to great effect with attacking team-mates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, rekindling the relationship that saw the Blaugrana dominate in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season.

As we can see here courtesy of these statistics from Squawka Football, the goals have flowed freely for the attacking trio again this term:

Neymar has been the standout man for Luis Enrique’s team. When Messi was out injured, the Brazil skipper became the key axis in Barcelona’s front line, scoring goals, making chances and leaving defenders with little idea of how to shut him down.

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So it’s no surprise United are interested in Neymar. As noted, the Red Devils do have the money to put together an alluring transfer package, and the prospect of being the main man at an established elite team is something that’ll undoubtedly appeal to the forward. However, at the moment, Neymar is a little out of United’s league.

Indeed, under Louis van Gaal the Red Devils have played a style of football which doesn’t favour flair players like Neymar. As we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report UK, United have really struggled in front of goal recently:

Regardless of who is in charge and the style played, it seems unlikely United will pull this one off. Neymar has shown earlier in the campaign he is the natural heir to Messi when the Argentina man does eventually step aside at the Camp Nou and therefore, he can achieve all his goals with his current employers.

The Red Devils will surely keep on trying, but in their current state, have little chance of making this happen.

James Wilson Clause Revealed

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Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has confirmed there is a clause in James Wilson’s loan agreement which could see United recall their young forward before the end of the campaign.

“The deal we have for him is until the end of the season, but they can call him back,” said Hughton, per Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline. “The reason why they wanted, and were comfortable with him coming here, is because of the lad's development—to get meaningful games. I hope we can keep him.”

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The decision to send the 20-year-old out on loan was met with a mixed reaction from Red Devils supporters, especially given their struggles up front early in the campaign. Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC thinks it’s a strange decision on their part:

Wilson will get game time at the Championship outfit and has already shown improvements in his four appearances so far, scoring two goals.

Hughton is a savvy manager, and the experience of pushing for a league title is something that’ll make the United loanee a more rounded player when he does return.

However, with United having to face up to the challenging Europa League schedule in the new year, not to mention the FA Cup, there could have feasibly been opportunities for Wilson at Old Trafford.

So if the Championship side do receive a call from a Manchester area code in the coming months, they may be wise to let it ring out.