Chelsea have been handed a major boost towards signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Blues amid an increasingly uncertain future at Les Parc des Princes.
Last month, the Brazil international had no intention of leaving the French giants despite his parent club open to the prospect of his sale, according to L'Equipe. However, following continued speculation, RMC Sport claim that Neymar is now said to be considering his future in the France capital, but any deal for the Brazil international would reportedly need significant financial backing.
The forward, who sees his contract at PSG expire in 2025, is said to earn more than any other player at Les Parisians, claim L’Equipe - including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Neymar is taking home £3.4million-per-month (£40.8m-per-year), despite having only featured 28 times for the French outfit this season, directly contributing towards 21 goals.
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Messi and Mbappe are believed to earn £2.8million and £1.8million-per-month, respectively. With a significant financial burden on any potential suitor that wins the race to sign Neymar, should he leave PSG this summer, Chelsea are reportedly just one of three clubs who have the resources to enter negotiations for his signature.
RMC Sport add that Barcelona is the winger's preferred option, though the Catalan club's well-documented financial woes prevent the club from pulling off such a deal. Manchester United and Newcastle are said to be the two clubs who have the fire-power to rival Chelsea for Neymar, though Todd Boehly reportedly wants to kickstart a new era at Stamford Bridge in style.
The American-led consortium, who agreed a £4.25billion deal to buy the west London club, are expected to 'push for A-list signings' this summer, according to the MailOnline. With the new ownership group eager to bolster Chelsea's armoury, The Telegraph indicate that after player sales are taken into account, Thomas Tuchel is set to have £200million to strengthen his side.
And, Neymar certainly constitutes an 'a-list signing' who could ignite a title charge at Stamford Bridge amid Manchester City and Liverpool's dominance. But, there's one issue.
The Brazilian star has previously admitted that he doesn't watch a lot of the Premier League, but he's heard there's a 'lot of physical contact involved.' And, annoyingly for the trio of Premier League clubs, Neymar previously vented his discontent at the physicality in Ligue 1.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Neymar said: "I do not get to watch a lot of the Premier League, but I have heard that there's a lot of physical contact involved in the game. But the French league also has too much physical contact!"
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