Neymar has reportedly asked his dad to finalise a move to Real Madrid before this summer’s World Cup, with Nike believed to hold the key to the money-spinning deal. The Brazilian superstar, who has been sidelined in recent weeks with a broken foot, is set to lead his country to the finals in Russia, which begin on June 14.
The 26-year-old only joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona last summer, in a world-record deal worth £198million. But, according to SPORT, the forward is ready to return to Spain and join the Catalan giants’ rivals Real.
After the disappointment of the 2014 World Cup — when injury kept him out of Brazil’s semi-final defeat by Germany — Neymar is determined not to let uncertainty surrounding his future affect his performances in Russia. His father, who also acts as his agent, has reportedly met with Real bosses as the Spanish champions bid to seal a deal that could be worth up to €400m (£355m).
And now AS claim Nike could help finance the move. ‘Nike holds the key for Neymar,’ the paper’s front page read on Tuesday. ‘They could finance part of his deal in the move to Madrid.’ Neymar has scored 29 goals since arriving at the Parc des Princes. But his spell in the French capital has been fraught with frustration and controversy.
He has been embroiled in clashes with his team-mates and booed by the club’s supporters, while their failure to reach the last-eight of the Champions League is believed to open the player’s mind to a move. Both Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho have said they would welcome the Brazilian back at the Nou Camp. But Real are reportedly in pole position to seal his services.
‘With Neymar, that’s life, but I have the same feelings as Rakitic,’ Coutinho said at the presentation of the Mediterranean International Cup.
‘He is a great player. I play with him for the international team and it is a real privilege.
‘It would be great if he came back and of course we would open the door to that.’
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