What's the story?
Barcelona superstar Neymar’s move to Manchester United is being encouraged by Real Madrid boss Florentino Perez, according to a report in Spanish news outlet Don Balon. Red Devils’ boss Jose Mourinho is monitoring the situation with the Brazilian, and hopes to help out his former La Liga side by significantly weaking a direct rival with a €200 million bid.
Previously...
Jose Mourinho had earlier dismissed rumours of Manchester United making a move for Neymar as ‘absurd’. The Portuguese tactician said, “To ask for Neymar is absurd. A club like Barcelona cannot and will not lose Neymar. Although Messi is still a young player with years ahead of him, he's almost 30, and Neymar will be the great player of Barcelona post-Messi. So much that I think it [trying to sign Neymar] is like trying to break into a safe, impossible.”
The heart of the matter
Despite his proclamations in public, the report claims that Mourinho continues to hold out hope that Barcelona will let Neymar go. The Brazilian star’s father has already spoken with Mourinho about a move to Old Trafford, with Neymar’s camp now sounding out how high Chelsea or Manchester United will go in terms of wages.
Also Read: 5 reasons why Neymar is the greatest footballer in the world today
While Manchester United are willing to trigger Neymar’s release clause, Barcelona remain confident that Manchester United will not fulfill Neymar’s astronomical wage demands, which will make him the highest paid player in the world, according to the report. Yet, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has been egging Jose Mourinho on, hoping that Neymar’s departure would weaken the Blaugrana.
As for Mourinho, he remains privately confident that he will eventually get Neymar, having spoken to the player personally earlier this year.
What next?
Barcelona will no doubt be furious that Real Madrid are trying to encourage Manchester United in their pursuit of Neymar, but the Blaugrana have previous when it comes to replacing superstars successfully, like they did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Also Read: 5 players who can replace Neymar at Barcelona
Author’s Take
The rumours of Neymar making a move to Manchester United just will not die down, despite comments of Jose Mourinho to the contrary. It indicates that talks are probably ongoing, which ought to concern Barcelona fans greatly, as Neymar looks all set to explode and become the greatest footballer in the world.
