Chelsea have reportedly contacted Paris Saint-Germain over a stunning transfer for Neymar.
The Brazilian is a candidate for a sale this summer as PSG look to move away from a so-called 'Galactico' transfer strategy and build with younger, homegrown players with Kylian Mbappe at the centre. Neymar has been heavily linked with a move to the Blues and it has been reported before that they were keen on signing the player when he was building his profile as one of the world's top young talents.
Now 31, Neymar is set for his next move after a blockbuster £191million move from Barcelona to PSG back in 2017. He's out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 season so there is no rush for PSG to sell the player, but they would welcome funds from a sale to alleviate financial fair play worries.
Here's the latest on a potential move from Neymar to Chelsea...
The latest reports
Le10Sport reported on Tuesday that Chelsea have 'contacted' PSG over a move for Neymar. It is being reported that PSG's stance on a move for Neymar is one of openness to a move.
With Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos leaving Paris this summer, huge salaries have been shed and Bernardo Silva, the Manchester City ace, is still said to be a target. Neymar could well be on his way from the Parc de Princes this summer.
Neymar's situation
He is under contract with PSG until the summer of 2025 and according to the CIES Football Observatory, he is worth up to £34million. Neymar had another good season statistically with 18 goals and 17 assists in 29 games across all competitions.
Neymar comments
There is long-standing admiration for the player from Chelsea's end with interest dating back over a decade while he was making waves at Santos. In 2014, Neymar explained the state of play, writing: "It was August 23, 2010. My father and I had a meeting with president Luis Alvaro at the Santos headquarters inside the Vila Belmiro. Chelsea had made a huge transfer bid.
"In the middle of our conversation, the president turned off the lights and pointed at an empty chair. 'This is the chair of the great national sports hero. Since Ayrton Senna’s death, this chair is vacant. If Neymar Jr stays in Santos and refuses Chelsea’s proposal, he will give his first step to sit in this chair'.
"That made us think. That decision would be a turning point in my life. Even Pele called me. Can you imagine how important I felt? The King of Football called me and asked me to stay." Neymar moved to Barcelona the year before and so ended Chelsea's hopes of signing him, until now.
Chelsea's stance
Neymar is a superstar and a global phenomenon and would be another huge asset for Chelsea commercially as well as being a fine player on the pitch. He is close friends with Blues centre-back and compatriot Thiago Silva and could relish a change of scenery and finally seal a move to the Premier League after stints with Barcelona and Santos.
READ NEXT:
Mason Mount to Man United latest, Moises Caicedo move and Chelsea summer transfer window updates
Todd Boehly sent stark Chelsea warning against Mauricio Pochettino triple transfer
