Brazil star Neymar has been told to ditch Paris Saint-Germain and switch to Newcastle …and take Allan Saint-Maximin’s No.10 shirt.
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton has issued an “invitation” for legend Neymar to join Eddie Howe’s side when he gets fed up with life in Paris. Neymar is reported to have been put up for sale by PSG this summer and are also up for loan moves if his wages are paid in full by his new club.
Newcastle have done sensible business this summer spending around £67m, including £37m this week on Lille defender Sven Botman. Matt Targett and England third-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope have also joined the Saudi-funded rebuild at St James’ Park.
In January Newcastle signed Brazil playmaker Bruno Guimaraes who knows Neymar from their Brazil international games together. Joelinton said in an interview in Brazil today: “Neymar? We can get him a spot, sure! In any team in the world! So the invitation is done. Ney, if you are listening to this you can come to Newcastle! I’ll run to you all the time! If we have the chance I hope to call him and say the Number 10 shirt is waiting for him.
“I’ll send a message to Bruno (Guimaraes). Bruno has his contact. He can send a message inviting Bruno to play here. If he comes, man it will be, I can’t explain it. The man is an idol, he is huge in world soccer.” In May, Joelinton showed his ambition for the new season by claiming Newcastle stars are targeting a European finish next season. The PIF owned club is building slowly and not chasing mega-star signings at the moment, but they will be in the market for world stars eventually, when new sponsorship deals have been struck.
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Meanwhile new signing Botman says he chose Newcastle over Milan because he wanted to play in the Premier League. Botman said: “Ultimately, Newcastle United ’s great project, in combination with playing in the Premier League, was the deciding factor," he told De Telegraaf. “That last one has been a dream my whole life. AC Milan also gave me a good feeling, but Newcastle United felt just a little better in the end. I really wanted to go to Newcastle United in January, because I also heard, and that’s a cliché, I know, that a train like this doesn’t pass by very often. But the clubs couldn’t figure it out.
“And afterwards this might be better, because I can now experience a lot of preparation and I was able to say goodbye to Lille in a beautiful way. That club deserved it. Staying wasn’t a punishment for me in January either, because I knew there were two great Champions League games against Chelsea coming up.”
