Neymar to Chelsea: The truth behind the rumours

Chelsea have been linked with a sensational late transfer window move for PSG attacker Neymar.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, the Blues have been offered the player by the Ligue 1 champions, despite making an electric start to the 2022/23 season.

Neymar, of course, has worked with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel before, while the Blues are known to be in the market for an additional forward, with Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a possibility and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United also given a slim chance of making the jump to Stamford Bridge.

Neymar to be sold as PSG suffer FFP headaches?

It is stated that PSG are willing to offload Neymar because they have been brought under Financial Fair Play (FFP) investigation by UEFA. This was confirmed by the club previously in August, but PSG indicated to L’Equipe that the request from European football’s governing body was a regular procedure.

Previously, they have been punished for breaches of FFP and were handed a €60 million fine, €40m of which was suspended.

Their actions in the transfer market have backed this statement up. In recent days, they have signed Fabian Ruiz from Napoli and apparently have little desire to cut back on their spending, with Carlos Soler set to join from Valencia, too.

It would seem strange for a club in need of cutting its budget to make two signings that could be considered unnecessary given the tools already in the squad.

Meanwhile, the apparent conflict between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe could be cited as another reason for a deal to take place. Aside from the on-field spat against Montpellier, there has been little evidence of discord between the two, with the Brazilian easily getting the penalty rights during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Monaco.

And while PSG were happy to let Neymar leave earlier this summer after previous underperformance, it would be seen as a big risk at this juncture, given that he has started the season with eight goals and six assists in just five matches.

Rumours Neymar could move to Chelsea, then, are likely to remain just that. If a transfer did take place, though, the Blues would be getting a player once again at the very peak of his powers.