Rumours continue to link Neymar with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain, who are thinking of selling the Brazilian following his underwhelming 2021/22 campaign.
According to RMC Sport (via Mirror), PSG have told Neymar that he is no longer in their plans, meaning that a summer exit could be on the cards.
Les Parisiens are set to embark on a new era following a disappointing last season, where their Champions League woes continued.
Luis Campos has been appointed the new sporting advisor, while Christophe Galtier is reportedly on the verge of becoming PSG’s new manager, replacing Mauricio Pochettino.
Kylian Mbappe appears to be the new leader of the project after the French world cup winner agreed to a lucrative new contract worth £650,000 a week, snubbing a potential free transfer to his longtime suitors Real Madrid.
PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi was elated with Mbappe’s decision, but he also took a dig at underperforming Neymar to get back to his game and avoid unnecessary injuries.
New sporting director Campos also appears to be not a big fan of the former Barcelona star as the Portuguese chief wants to build the squad around talented young players, as signified by the transfer interest in players like Hugo Ekitike and Rafael Leao.
Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs on Neymar’s situation and could try to sign him if he leaves Parc des Princes this summer.
The report also adds that PSG’s expensive transfer is open for a transfer to Stamford Bridge in hopes of reuniting with Thomas Tuchel.
Backed by new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues are expected to be extravagant in the summer window, with a transfer budget of £200 million allotted.
Tuchel wants a marquee signing to replace Romelu Lukaku – who has agreed a loan move to Inter Milan – and exit-linked Hakim Ziyech.
While Raheem Sterling turns out to be a priority target and a summer transfer also looks imminent, the Blues are still exploring the options to sign Neymar.
The Brazilian superstar could be available for as low as €100 million, while the Blues have the resources to afford his wages.
The 30-year-old has also been offered to his former club Barcelona but their financial troubles coupled with the priority to sign Robert Lewandowski rules out a potential move.
Blues defender and Neymar’s ex-PSG teammate Thiago Silva has recently urged his compatriot to join him at Stamford Bridge.
Silva said (h/t Goal): “He has to go to Chelsea. If he is about to leave [PSG], then he must go there. If it happens, then the expectation is the best possible one. We don’t even need to talk about Neymar’s ability. Besides that, he is a super friend.
“I hope this happens instead of only being something on the news, but I don’t know anything about it.”
On the contrary, Neymar’s former agent Wagner Ribeiro has claimed that the former Santos star is not considering an exit as he dreams of winning the Champions League with PSG.
Ribeiro told Goal: “Neymar has a dream: to be a winner of the Champions League with PSG. Despite all the rumours regarding a possible exit, he is very motivated and will not stop until he achieves it.”
It is not the first time Neymar’s exit rumours have surfaced during the transfer window before the start of the new season, but PSG managed to keep hold of him every time.
However, with Neymar now thinking of succeeding at the French capital, PSG, ironically, want to offload him.
