BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 26: Lionel Messi (L) and Neymar Jr. of FC Barcelona chat during a training session at FC Barcelona Sports Centre on May 26, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona need to spend big to keep Neymar away from Manchester United
Neymar wants more help at Barcelona
Things are never dull at FC Barcelona. The backroom antics at the club are truly Spain’s highest rated drama. The latest “episode” features Neymar complaining to club officials about their lack of activity in the transfer market this summer.
Reports from Spain (via the Sun) claim that Neymar is trying to exert pressure on club officials by claiming he might request a move to Manchester United unless the club splashes serious cash in the transfer market. Specifically, Barcelona need to upgrade their right back position and add some more athleticism to their aging midfield.
Remember that Neymar’s current deal with Barcelona does include a release clause of £174 million. That seemed like an astronomical deal when the agreement was first struck, but transfer prices have jumped since then. It would still represent a world record fee, but it’s not out of touch with what Monaco may get for Kylian Mbappe this summer.
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are certainly one of the clubs that have the financial power to bring Neymar in. The Special One would be more than happy to build his entire attack around the world-class Brazilian. Neymar wouldn’t need to share the spotlight at Old Trafford. He would be the club’s biggest attacking star.
The same can’t be said at Barcelona. The Spanish club will always belong to Lionel Messi. No matter how much Neymar accomplishes for the club, he will never be adored as much as the diminutive genius. It’s fair to wonder whether or not that bothers Neymar in the deep recesses of his mind.
Of course, the most likely scenario is that Neymar is just trying to put pressure on the club. He can clearly see that their talent level isn’t up to the same standard that Real Madrid possess at the moment. Some smart, but expensive, transfers could close that gap. Adding luminaries like Hector Bellerin and Marco Verratti could give Barcelona the talent edge over their arch rivals.
For the moment, it’s safe to assume this is just noise from Neymar and his representatives. There’s no downside to him pushing club officials to make some big money purchases. Look for him to stay put unless Barcelona refuse to make any big moves this summer. The club would deserve to lose Neymar it they display that lack of ambition.
