Newcastle are considering an audacious summer swoop for unsettled Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, according to reports in Spain.
The Brazilian forward - along with Lionel Messi - was booed and jeered by his own fans in the French giants' 3-0 win against Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Sunday, despite scoring the second goal, and was partially blamed for the side's embarrassing collapse against Real Madrid which saw them crash out of the Champions League.
Neymar is said to be disillusioned and weighing up a move away this summer, and according to Fichajes, nouveau-riche Newcastle are mulling over the 'golden opportunity' to bring one of the best players in the world to the Premier League.
The 30-year-old became the most expensive player of all time when he signed for the rich Parisian side for £198million in August 2017 - a record he still holds - and has scored 92 goals in 136 games in all competitions for them.
This season, the 116-cap international has only scored five goals in all competitions, by far his lowest return, and has netted fewer and fewer goals in every passing campaign, with 28, 23, 19, 17 and now five.
Along with his reported attitude problems, PSG could be willing to sanction a sale and break up their 'dream front three' of Neymar, Messi and Kylian Mbappe which has so far failed to fire, despite Neymar signing a fresh four-year contract last May.
However, the former Santos forward would still be an excellent signing for Newcastle, who were bought in October by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund - making them notionally the richest club in the world.
The Magpies would therefore be one of the only clubs on the planet who could afford his fee, likely to be similar to the £198m PSG paid for him in 2017, and his astronomically high £500,000-a-week wages.
Fichajes also claim Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who are looking for a marquee signing up front and may miss out on Erling Haaland, are eyeing up a move too, with a sentimental return to Barcelona also an option if the cash-strapped side can finance a transfer.
pekadnptu
318
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
fedabenprt
24
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
You deserved to sit at Bein sport to analyze the beautiful game
GGMUSTAR
16
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
If only we can see future Football is just like typical life
Hugo_B
14
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
You should be in one of the top TV sports cuz you better then some of the sports pundits we have 💯
wozaclnsuz
12
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
Better than many articles...
NFK97
11
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
Nice analysis
Annieboi
10
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
you're absolutely right, football turn upside down ever since oil money got involved
vuaipuy
10
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
the raise of players price in the market:)
dineilrsu
9
To actually think that € 222 M transfer was the downfall of many parties. # Neymar went from being the crown prince to Messi & CR7's throne to being just a luxury player with an attitude. # Barca spent countless money on trying to replace Neymar - spending close to 400 M on Dembele, Griezmann & Coutinho # that extraordinary spent pushed Barca to the verge of bankruptcy # which made Messi leave the club - an event that never would've happened if not for Barca's financial condition # Barca also pulled Coutinho from Liverpool, leaving him just a bit-parts player from the verge of being a legend at Liverpool # Griezmann went from being one of the most loved players at Atletico to one that nobody really wanted at Barca # Barca was forced to sell Arthur to Juventus in a ridiculous swap deal with Pjanic just to balance the books # Arthur & Panic both went from being the key players at their clubs to players nobody appreciates after the swap Feel free to add any that I've missed
psg ruined football