Transfer Balls: The Fanciful Story Of Neymar’s Big Move To Manchester United

Paul Sorene

24th, August 2015

7 Comments

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 05:  (L-R) Neymar, Luis Suarez and Dani Alves of FC Barcelona share a joke during the team official presentation ahead of the Joan Gamper trophy match at Camp Nou on August 5, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Neymar, Luis Suarez and Dani Alves of FC Barcelona share a joke August 5, 2015

Transfer Balls – a look at news of Neymar’s supposed transfer to Manchester United.

Today, the Guardian have taken up the story of Neymar’s mooted transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United. This story started life in the Sun, which told readers of “secret talks” to buy the 23-year-old Brazil and Barcelona forward.

The Sun’s Shaun Curtis said “a top Barcelona source” had told him that United have made a “discreet approach” to the La Liga champions.

United’s Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been to Barcelona three times in the last two months. We all thought he was after signing Pedro.

Curtis reasons that if Neymar joined United “he would become the undisputed main man and a challenger for the title of World Player of the Year”.

Neymar’s current Barcelona deal expires in the summer of 2018 – and he does want a new deal but he’ll get one anyway. In June, the Mail told us: “Josep Maria Bartomeu will offer Neymar a new deal if he wins the election.”

Bartomeu won.

The Mail added that Barcelona’s new chief was “ready to throw even more money at him to keep the 23-year-old happy at the Nou Camp”.

Might this story of a move to Old Tafford be a ploy – Neymar reminds Barcelona of his worth and engineers a pay rise? The old Sergio Ramos flip-flopperoo?

Whatever the thinking, that seems to comprise the background of the Guardian’s news that Neymar  is “open to joining from Barcelona… although there is a recognition the transfer is unlikely to occur before the current window closes.”

The paper cites “sources close to the forward”, who say Neymar is “attracted by the size and history of United and the chance to play in the Premier League”.

He might also be excited about playing at Barcelona, or in Italy, or for Bayern Munich. The feeling at Pies Towers is that this one is not going to happen. We’re loathe to use the word ‘spurious’ but hey, if the shoes fits.

Indeed, GloboEsporte hears from Neymar’s agent Wágner Ribeiro who “afirmou não ter sido procurado e que tudo não passa de factoide por conta da proximidade do fim da janela de transferências na Europa, no próximo dia 31.”

Portuguese to English translation: It’s total balls.

Posted in Barcelona, Man Utd, Newsnow, Transfers & Rumours

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7 Comments

  1. Neymar is good as messi. There is no players that goes to real madrid nor barca that there are not serve messi and ronaldo, as pedro leaved barca to chelsea he is going to reign there and if neymar leave barca to man united he is going to be one of the best world player. So neymar go to man united dont be slave to messi go where they can hear your name you are better than messi, all the ball you play they will not hear your name it is messi we know there. Work with rooney,depay, asley young, chicharito,herrera and the rest. Befor you knw, you will become world best

  2. umberto says:

    I have it on very good authority that Manchester United will be signing Neymar either this season or next. (I also have it on very good authority that they wont. So make of that what you will).

  3. gabriel says:

    i like neymar to in man u

  4. gabriel says:

    i like neymar to stay in man u

  5. maria says:

    Not sure Neymar is suited to the PL. He’s rather fragile. Would be another who failed the transition. Di María anyone?

  6. Bruno says:

    I’m brazilian and I don’t fancy Neymar at Man Utd. Not their type of player. Bale would be better for United.

    Buy Bale and Muller and play with Bale/Mata/Memphis behind Muller. And get rid of Rooney.

    Premier League champions.

    Easy, just requires $200m.

  7. Beezer says:

    Money doesn’t exist. Yep, get over it, it really doesn’t.

    So logic dictates that Messi should sign for Havant & Waterlooville if the club can write a cheque for… oh, let’s push the boat out, why not? 500 gazillion bueros should do it. Of course the deal would depend on Messi knowing where H&W is on the sat nav.

    Best football match ever? Germany 0 Greece 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8

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