Neymar in ‘more advanced’ talks
Paris Saint-Germain revealed on Saturday that Neymar transfer talks are “more advanced than before” after the Brazilian was dropped for the champions’ opening Ligue 1 match.
Sporting director Leonardo confirmed to reporters that the Brazilian was near the exit door but that PSG were “not yet ready to give their approval (to the transfer)” ahead of Sunday’s game against Nimes at the Parc des Princes.
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said: “Neymar did not complete training and it’s not possible that he plays tomorrow.”
The club are impatient for the transfer saga to reach a conclusion, one way or another.
“It’s important to shape our future for everyone,” Neymar’s fellow Brazilian Leonardo told a press conference.
“If he stays, he plays. If he leaves, he leaves. The quicker (we know) the better.”
Real Madrid or a return to Barcelona are the most likely destinations for the world’s most expensive footballer, with Spanish media on Friday saying that Zinedine Zidane’s side will battle Barca for the 27-year-old’s signature.
Neymar started the new season by angering the Qatari-backed club when he turned up one week late for training.
The player’s camp maintained he had a prior agreement to stay away but that didn’t wash with his employers who threatened to take “appropriate action”.
The forward, whose time in France has been marked by injuries and controversies, has made a series of remarks that strained his relationship further with the club and sparked outrage on social media.
Asked by an online sports channel about his best memory in football, he cited Barcelona’s incredible 2017 Champions League last-16 comeback against PSG when he inspired the Catalans to a 6-1 second-leg victory after a 4-0 first-leg defeat.
Neymar was signed by PSG to bolster their hopes of a maiden Champions League title, but they have instead since lost twice in the last-16 phase. He missed PSG’s last games in both Champions League campaigns through injury and twice courted controversy last season.
Neymar insulted VAR officials on Instagram after the team’s humbling and then appeared to punch a Rennes fan after PSG’s shock French Cup final defeat.
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