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Sam Hill

Neymar to Chelsea transfer: Al-Hilal £171m deal, Todd Boehly talks, Mbappe demand, Man Utd link

Paris Saint-Germain are open to selling Neymar in the summer transfer window with Chelsea and one other Premier League club interested in signing the Brazilian. The 31-year-old looks set to follow Lionel Messi out of PSG after the Argentina World Cup winner completed a switch to MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Neymar almost joined the Blues in 2010 after the club were said to have offered 'lots of money'. Despite the financial pull of any offer from west London, Neymar snubbed a move to the Premier League and went on to join Barcelona a few years later.

PSG were open to selling Neymar last summer but a move to England never materialised despite Todd Boehly holding talks with Nassr Al-Khelaifi. Reports have stated the Brazilian would only consider moving to Manchester United if he completes a switch to the Premier League, but Chelsea have a long-standing interest in the 31-year-old.

So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest news regarding Neymar's future as Chelsea hope to finally complete their 13-year transfer mission...

Al-Hilal £171m offer

CBS Sports report that a senior delegation from Al-Hilal flew to the French capital on Friday, intending to test the waters around Neymar's camp and ascertain whether he is amenable to make the move to the kingdom. Personal terms would be comparable to those of Ronaldo, whose total package is believed to be around €200million (£171m) a year.

The report adds that the Saudi giants, 18-time league champions, would be prepared to pay in the region of €45million (£38m) as a transfer fee however they are yet to open dialogue with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing.

READ MORE:Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: 'Done deal', Osimhen priority, Neymar move, Caicedo favourite

Todd Boehly meeting after Mbappe demand

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe will be hoping his ongoing feud with Neymar comes to an end this summer with the French outfit open to selling the Brazilian. Neymar has received a transfer proposal from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal despite interest from Chelsea in signing the the 31-year-old.

PSG are looking to sell Neymar and reduce their wage bill ahead of next season as they look to revamp their squad. Lionel Messi has signed for MLS side Inter Miami after his two-year spell in Paris came to an end.

The Argentina World Cup winner is said to have acted as a ‘mediator’ to help quell the ongoing discontent between Mbappe and Neymar. Following Messi's exit, PSG are looking to sell Neymar with Al-Hilal representatives flying to France to negotiate a deal for the Brazilian - as per CBS Sports.

This comes just months after Chelsea owner Todd Boehly help a meeting with the French club to discuss Neymar's availability this summer. The American co-owner reportedly flew into Paris in February to meet with PSG chiefs ahead of the first leg of their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Read on here.

Barcelona plan

Chelsea could be involved in a transfer triangle with Neymar, PSG and Barcelona this summer, according to reports. It is said that Barcelona will now move on from Lionel Messi with Bernardo Silva one of their targets but PSG also have the midfielder on their radar and are more likely to make him an addition.

Silva has long been linked with a move away from Manchester City and it could leave the coast clear for Chelsea to make a move for Neymar, who it is said they are still interested in.

It all leaves much to be decided but may well leave the way for Todd Boehly to finally complete a transfer he has been keen on since taking over at Chelsea.

Barcelona return ruled out

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has ruled out making a move to bring Neymar back to the Catalan club. The Spaniard discussed rumours of Neymar potentially moving back to the Camp Nou this summer: "I'm surprised… he’s not in our plan.

"I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities," he told JijantesFC.

Pushing for an exit

According to Brazilian publication UOL, PSG are eager to sell Neymar this summer in order to free up space on their wage bill. In fact, they're so keen to sell the Brazil international that they would be willing to accept a 'significantly' lower offer than usual.

The report adds that Neymar is aware of the French giant's decision and he's now pushing for an exit. UOL have outlined that Chelsea are joined by Manchester United and Newcastle in the race.

Physicality fears

In an interview with the Daily Mail in February 2021, Neymar vented his frustrations at the physicality in Ligue 1. He 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."

Premier League dream

Despite Neymar's fears of the physicality, he once claimed that every top player must test themselves in the Premier League. As quoted by the Mirror in 2018, the Brazilian said: "It's a big competition. One of the greatest in the world.

"We don't know how tomorrow will be, but I believe that every great player, at least one day, has to play in the Premier League. If you're playing there, then I hope you can keep enjoying the Premier League, because you deserve only the best!"

Secret meeting

Earlier this year, French outlet Le Parisien reported that Todd Boehly travelled to Paris for talks with Nasser Al-Khelaifi regarding a possible a deal for Neymar. Foot Mercato later added that the American billionaire later met with the Brazilian's entourage and has now taken the 'matter into his own hands'.

READ NEXT:

Chelsea make Neymar transfer decision amid Man Utd interest and Mauricio Pochettino overhaul

Kylian Mbappe transfer demand approved after Chelsea owner Todd Boehly held Neymar meeting

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