Neymar opens talks to RUIN dreams of Inter Miami and Messi

Robin Bairner

• 16 Jan 2025 07:45 CST
• 3 min read

Neymar’s much-anticipated reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami could be on the rock with the shock news that another MLS franchise is moving to sign the Brazil international attack.

Neymar is currently on the books of Al-Hilal, yet the Saudi Pro League club are poised to release him after two years in which he has proven no value for money.

The 32-year-old has spent much of the last 18 months injured, with reports from the Gulf that his club have been unimpressed with the player’s attitude towards rehabilitation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Out of contract in July, Neymar is set for a new adventure.

READ MORE: Neymar drops HUGE transfer hint

Inter Miami have been the club most closely linked with him. There is a strong Barcelona contingent with David Beckham’s franchise, including Messi, who Neymar has previously linked up with at both PSG and Camp Nou.

Everything has seemed to be falling into place for Neymar to join Inter Miami. He has bought a house in Florida, while the club has moved to free up a Designated Player spot on their roster, allowing them to pay the former Santos star a free market wage.

All this, though, has been threatened by the Chicago Fire, who FootMercato reports have opened up transfer talks with Neymar.

Neymar to Chicago Fire: A difficult deal

Chicago Fire want to sign Neymar in January, according to the French source.

It claims that there have been talks with the player and a two-year contract has been offered to him.

It is stressed, meanwhile, that Neymar is only at the beginning of talks with the Chicago Fire but that nothing has been finalised over a deal for a player who is currently earning $104 million per year (€103m) in Saudi Arabia.

Instead of hooking up with Messi, Neymar could therefore find himself a direct opponent to his friend in what would become a mouth-watering MLS Eastern Conference.