Chelsea hold MORE Neymar transfer talks
Cameron Smith
- 8 Aug 2023 00:42 CDT
- 4 min read
Chelsea have reportedly held yet more discussions with Neymar as the Brazilian continues to be linked with a Paris Saint-Germain exit.
Neymar, 31, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for some time, but talks have never progressed past initial interest.
However, the former Barcelona star has told PSG he wants to leave the club this summer as he eyes up a return to Camp Nou, according to L’Equipe.
It means PSG could be set to lose the entirety of their stellar front three in one summer following Lionel Messi’s departure to Inter Miami and Kylian Mbappe’s banishment from first-team training.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to sell Mbappe after the Frenchman informed the Ligue 1 champions that he will not renew his current deal, which expires in 2024.
Now it looks likely that Neymar will depart too having handed in a transfer request at the Parc des Princes, and while Barcelona links are prevalent, Chelsea have also been attributed with keen interest.
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino knows the player, having coached him at PSG, and Chelsea have sounded out a possible move for Neymar, as per RMC Sport.
MORE: Neymar lodges PSG transfer request as Barcelona links INTENSIFY
The Brazilian’s huge salary, which is around €28 million per year according to Foot Mercato, is a sticking point for most clubs across Europe - including Barcelona - but Chelsea’s financial backing under Todd Boehly means the west London club is one of Neymar’s most likely destinations.
As mentioned, talks are underway between Neymar’s camp and Chelsea, although the Blues’ recent transfer strategy has revolved around offloading players on ludicrous wages and offering smaller salary deals to their stars.
As a result, pushing for Neymar may not be fully explored.
Chelsea’s summer business
So far this summer, Chelsea have focused on signing younger players, with all of their new arrivals 25 years old or younger.
