Account
PSG Reportedly More Open to Selling Neymar Than Kylian Mbappe Amid Rumours
July 19, 2018
Paris Saint-Germain may reportedly consider selling Neymar this summer amid links to Real Madrid.
According to El Transistor (h/t AS), which in turn cites a source from the so-called Federation of Qatar, while the Ligue 1 giants will not entertain any offers for Kylian Mbappe this summer, they could be open to cashing in on the Brazil international.
It's said any decision on Neymar would be down to new PSG manager Thomas Tuchel, who is reported to consider Mbappe as a more important part of his plans in the French capital.
Neymar would reportedly only be allowed to leave the club if a replacement is found; Juventus' Paulo Dybala is mentioned as a possible option.
Both PSG players have been linked with moves to Madrid in recent weeks, with the European champions issuing official statements denying that transfers had been agreed for both Neymar and Mbappe in the space of a week.
It's anticipated that Los Blancos will spend big money on a forward before the end of the transfer window after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus. Without a stellar acquisition, new manager Julen Lopetegui may be a little short of firepower in pursuit of major trophies.
Either Neymar or Mbappe would fit the bill in terms of a big-name acquisition because they are two of the finest forwards on the planet—although it appears as though the former is the more likely of the two to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That's despite Madrid issuing a second denial they are set to approach the player:
Football on BT Sport @btsportfootballReal Madrid have ruled out any move for Neymar... "The two clubs enjoy an excellent relationship and, as such, if Real Madrid were at any stage to consider securing the services of a PSG player, they would approach the club in the first instance." https://t.co/8wseve55sG
Neymar left La Liga for PSG last summer, joining from Barcelona for a world-record fee. While he shone when on the field and helped the Parisians to a domestic treble, there were rumours about his position throughout the course of the campaign.
Ronaldo's sale has only intensified speculation that Madrid will make a play for the star regardless of the statements they have put out. After all, Neymar is one of only a few players with the ability to potentially fill the void left by Ronaldo's absence.
Mbappe could also reach those levels, and his stock has never been higher after he enjoyed a stunning FIFA World Cup for France, netting four times in the tournament and helping the team to win the tournament.
As Grup14's Rafael Hernandez noted, it already appears Mbappe will become the main man in Paris at Neymar's expense:
Even so, you sense Tuchel will be desperate to see both men remain at the club this summer. After all, PSG have continually come up short in the UEFA Champions League, and losing any world-class attacker would be detrimental to their quest to win that prize.
Madrid will be confident of getting in a big name before the end of the transfer window. If not, you sense Ronaldo's departure may have taken a little longer. Pinching one of PSG's crown jewels may be a massive challenge, though.