30 May 2023 , 23:00
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Neymar would prefer to complete a sensational summer transfer move to Manchester United instead of joining Arsenal.
The Brazilian superstar, 31, is set to be auctioned off by Paris Saint-Germain, who feel that the time is right to part ways with Neymar after six years together. Having made the decision to leave Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record €222million (£198m), the talented forward has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and PSG are keen to recoup a fee before his lucrative contract expires in 2025.
But Neymar is more stringent regarding his hotly-debated future, as it's been reported that he only sees himself playing for United or PSG next term. Despite links to Arsenal in recent days, French outlet Foot Mercato suggest that the 31-year-old is salivating over the prospect of strutting his stuff at Old Trafford, although he'd be happy to stay put at the Parc des Princes.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag last week refused to rule out a move and the report goes on to explain that Neymar's potential transfer is linked with the prospective Qatari takeover of United. The gulf state already has strong links to PSG and now Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is battling INEOS chief executive Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to succeed the Glazer family in Manchester.
French newspaper L'Equipe recently claimed that United were in advanced talks to sign the Brazil international, who's already rejected a big-money proposal from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. United's bitter rivals, Manchester City, have also been tentatively linked, as have ex-club Barcelona.
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In March, Neymar was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury and has kept tight-lipped on his future throughout his rehabilitation process. Last summer, the PSG winger reiterated his desire to remain with the Ligue 1 champions, saying: "I still want to stay at the club. Until now, the club haven't told me anything so I don't know what their plans are for me."
Neymar has been out injured since March (Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)Have your say! Who should Neymar join - Manchester United or Arsenal? Let us know in the comments section.
Now, it appears that times have changed and the PSG hierarchy want a fresh start. Former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is also on his way out, having failed to deliver an elusive Champions League title during his two campaigns with the club.
United have been warned off a move, though, with ex-assistant manager Rene Meulensteen telling talkSPORT: "It's probably rumours and speculation, everybody keeps tight-lipped about it. I have my reservations about it because he's obviously a high-calibre player but he's also a prima donna.
"He's never played in the Premier League. Playing in Spain and France is completely different. Also, his best position is playing on the left wing and you're gonna go with [Marcus] Rashford."
Neymar is set to wave goodbye to Paris Saint-Germain this summer (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit reckons that Neymar would "love" to play for Arsenal. "I think Neymar will suit any big club," Petit told Genting Casino. "If he comes to Arsenal, I would love it and I think he will too. I think he will enjoy the technical football and the style of Arsenal. He would love to play with younger players as he is quite mature himself.
"He will also have revenge on his mind with everything that he has been going through at PSG, and the tears he shed at the World Cup. I think he will be happy to move to Arsenal if that is the case. He can play on the left and the right, and because of his ankle injuries he can be a player in rotation."