Manchester City have the financial wherewithal to buy Barcelona forward Neymar, according to Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. The 35 year old Brazilian believes that Pep Guardiola could be a big factor in luring Neymar to England, while also opining that rumours of a move to Real Madrid are false.
According to The Mirror, Ronaldinho feels that Neymar could move to the Premier League, saying “Neymar has already stated his desire to play for Pep. That was a big statement with most people knowing that Pep would be joining Manchester City in the summer.” Neymar had earlier revealed to Sky Sports about his desire to play under Guardiola, saying “Guardiola is a guy that I really admire and who I would love to work with.”
Barcelona have inserted a staggering £145 million release clause into Neymar’s contract, but Manchester City are not short of the financial power required to bring the Brazilian superstar to England. Ronaldinho agrees with that sentiment, saying “We know they can pay wages that no other club in Europe has the power to do.”
Neymar’s father revealed last week that his son had been the subject of a big money bid from an English club late into the transfer window, with the club’s identity speculated to be Manchester United.
Ronaldinho would support move to Real Madrid
Neymar has been the subject of intense transfer speculation that he will move to Real Madrid. The forward has had to repeatedly come out and deny rumours of a move, but the Spanish press are insistent that there is validity to their claim that Real Madrid are potential suitors for the Brazilian, in their bid to replace an aging Cristiano Ronaldo.
Should Neymar make the move across the Clasico divide, Ronaldinho would support his Brazilian successor, saying “Neymar to Madrid? I want him to be happy, he's a friend. I would love him to continue at [Barcelona] and keep making history, but I'm not going to advise him to stay or go, he should just follow his heart.”
“I will advise him to stay at Barcelona for at least a few more years, but if he wants City and they want him, we know they have the power to make it happen.”
Given Neymar’s recent assertion that his off-field tax problems are distracting him from football, perhaps there is truth to rumours of hime seeking a move to England. In addition, Neymar is currently in a contractual wrangle with Barcelona, as he seeks higher wages, which would require Barcelona to offload other players in the squad as they are bordering on their salary cap.
Given the numerous problems facing Neymar, perhaps there is an actual fire behind the smoke of all these rumours.
