Neymar transfer power ranking – How Chelsea, Man Utd and Barcelona stack up

Robin Bairner

9 Jul 2022 05:03 CDT
4 min read

Neymar’s future at PSG remains uncertain, with the attacker out of favour and available for transfer.

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Although the Brazilian has had his well-publicised issues since joining the Parisians from Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million, he remains one of the most exciting attacking players in world football.

Large wages and football’s general financial malaise, however, are making it difficult for PSG to find a buyer for the 30-year-old. Their problem is similar to that Manchester United have in offloading Cristiano Ronaldo. Neymar boasts huge wages and his injury history suggests there is no guarantee of a worthy return.

Nevertheless, numerous solutions have been proposed with regards his future. Here, FootballTransfers ranks these in order of probability.

5. Newcastle

With big-money investors from Saudi Arabia, Newcastle could certainly afford Neymar. However, the Premier League club have appeared reticent to make any blockbuster deals this summer, preferring a lower-key approach.

On top of this, it’s tough to see Neymar swapping the glamour of Paris for the north east of England.

4. Manchester City

Neymar never actually worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, but the club links both players thanks to their recent contributions at Camp Nou. Indeed, Guardiola will know the Brazil international intimately via his contacts there.

Money would be no problem for City in this deal, but do they really need Neymar? With Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus both leaving the club, there is an argument that they could use another attacker, but it is unlikely to be such a lavish one as the PSG ace.

3. Barcelona

Barcelona have admitted that they have tried to get Neymar back to the club and there is little doubt that they would sign him if it were viable. Instead, they are looking at other options such as Raphinha, while Ousmane Dembele could also stay put.

The Catalans have worked financial miracles within their budget in the recent past, notably signing Ferran Torres from Manchester City in January, and with their ingenuity in accounting, a deal should not be entirely rubbished.

Their poor relationship with PSG does count against them.

© ProShots - Neymar in his Barcelona days

2. Man Utd

If Cristiano Ronaldo forces an exit from Old Trafford this summer, suddenly the possibility of Neymar does not seem such a bad one. The winger might have frustrated Red Devils fans with his antics previously in the Champions League, but that would soon be forgotten thanks to his stylish football. Neymar, after all, is a far more attractive player when he’s on your side.

The Glazers might be unwilling to fork out on such a big signing, but with Ronaldo’s wages theoretically off their books, they are one of the few teams who could have both the funds and the need for Neymar.

1. Chelsea

Chelsea are the bookmakers’ favourites to complete a transfer for Neymar this summer.

Under new ownership, the Blues could make an instant impact in the transfer window by capturing that Brazilian, though just how willing Todd Boehly’s consortium are willing to spend is not yet clear. Certainly, this would be the type of marquee signing that could get fans excited about the new season as Chelsea seek to recast themselves as title challengers.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has worked closely with Neymar previously at PSG. The attacker scored 28 league goals in 32 appearances in Tuchel’s first two seasons at Parc des Princes.