Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'still keeping tabs on Neymar situation'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 14 July 2023

Chelsea reportedly retain an interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar, who is still pining for a return to Barcelona.

Chelsea are reportedly still attentive to the situation of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar amid perennial uncertainty surrounding his future.

The 31-year-old has frequently been linked with moves away from the Parc des Princes during his controversy-filled stint in Paris, with a Barcelona reunion mooted on several occasions.

Barca are believed to have seriously considered bringing Neymar back to Camp Nou, but the Blaugrana's long-running financial problems have rendered a swoop impossible.

Neymar remains under contract with PSG until the summer of 2025 with the option of a further year, but the French champions are undergoing a youthful rebuild under Luis Enrique.

Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-in have both reinforced the Parisiens attack following Lionel Messi's departure, while Rasmus Hojlund, Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva are supposedly being targeted in case Kylian Mbappe is forced out of the club.

Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

Neymar could therefore be the final surviving member of the fearsome PSG front three from the 2022-23 season, but according to Le Parisien, it is still unclear whether the ex-Santos starlet will still be at the Parc des Princes next season.

The report claims that Neymar - who missed the final three months of the 2022-23 season with a severe ankle injury - had initially been pining for a return to Barcelona this summer, six years after his world-record €222m (£190.2m) transfer.

However, with Xavi's cash-strapped side unlikely to consider adding to their attacking ranks this summer, Chelsea could instead offer Neymar an escape route from the French capital.

PSG would reportedly be content to receive £59m for the sale of Neymar, who is also on the radar of several clubs in Saudi Arabia, but it is unclear whether he would consider a move away from Europe at this point in his career.

Furthermore, the arrival of Enrique - whom Neymar won a domestic and continental treble under at Barcelona during the 2014-15 season - could yet lead to the South American deciding to stay on at PSG for a little while longer.

Brazil's Neymar leaves court after standing trial on fraud and corruption charges over the transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013, pictured on October 18, 2022 © Reuters

The Brazil international has registered a remarkable 195 direct goal contributions in 173 matches for PSG during his illustrious career - 118 strikes of his own and 77 assists.

Before his 2022-23 campaign was cut short, Neymar thrived under Christophe Galtier with 18 goals and 17 assists from 29 matches, and only Messi (16) set up more goals than the 31-year-old (11) in Ligue 1 last term.

Chelsea have already welcomed two new attackers to West London in the shape of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, but more outgoings are expected before the window slams shut.

Christian Pulisic's move to AC Milan was confirmed on Thursday, while Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and David Datro Fofana - who has joined Union Berlin on loan - have also departed.

Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also be cut from Chelsea's ranks as Mauricio Pochettino continues his summer clearout.