PSG to trigger Neymar’s £153 million release clause in bid to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Paris Saint-Germain is set to trigger Neymar’s release clause in an attempt to lure him to the Parc de Princes in the summer as they look to replace talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish international is set to leave in the summer after not agreeing a new contract with the Parisian club, with the likes of Manchester United fairly interested in signing him up.
PSG have set their sights even higher, by threatening to trigger Neymar’s rumored £153 million release clause at Barcelona to lure the Brazilian sensation away from the Camp Nou. It is believed Barcelona would be unwilling to let Neymar leave for anything less than the mentioned price.
Neymar could consider PSG move
It wouldn’t be the first time this summer that the Brazilian has been linked to a move to PSG with the Brazilian media reporting PSG’s interest in Neymar for a long time now. In fact, the rumours had grown to such an extent that Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar’s agent, had to come out and douse the fire by reminding the world he is still a Barcelona player.
He did, however, add to his briefing of the situation to French paper, L’Equipe, the following.
“If PSG show an interest in Neymar, we can discuss it,” Ribeiro said. “A contract can also be terminated provided that the release clause is paid.
“It’s huge. €193m (£155m). But I don’t think that would be an insurmountable problem for PSG.
“He feels good in Barcelona, he’s loved over there, and he’s playing for the best team in the world. It’s no small feat to impose yourself at such an enormous club.
“But the prospect of living in a city like Paris and to play for a club like PSG – that’s also a dream for every player.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic played for PSG for four seasons, winning during each of those seasons the Ligue 1 trophy. During those four seasons, Zlatan scored an incredible 113 goals in 122 league appearances for PSG. Neymar himself has scored an incredible 55 goals from 93 appearances in La Liga and has scored 24 of them this season itself. The fact that he is only 24-years-old adds to the appeal that the deal holds for the Parisian side.
Should PSG fail to lure Neymar away from the Catalan side, the attention may be turned to Liverpool’s Brazilian sensation Philippe Coutinho, a player who is expected to court interest from the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City as well.