Manchester United consider meeting Neymar’s release clause- Barcelona on red alert
Manchester United are getting serious about Neymar
Rumours connecting Manchester United with a sensational swoop for Barcelona star Neymar simply won’t go away. The reality is that Jose Mourinho is pushing club officials to consider meeting the Brazilian’s astronomical release clause.
Spanish reports allege that United are trying to “accelerate” talks with the world-class attacker. The only way that can really happen is if United decide they’re willing to break the bank. Barcelona aren’t likely to let Neymar leave for anything less than his £167 million release clause.
Obviously that’s a massive transfer fee. It isn’t as out of line as you might originally think though. You can’t judge the fee against the current record price United paid for Paul Pogba last summer. Instead, you must judge it against the sort of transfer fees we’re likely going to see this summer.
Everton reportedly want a minimum of £100 million for Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea are considering meeting that valuation. Monaco want a similar fee for Kylian Mbappe. Atletico Madrid aren’t going to let Antoine Griezmann on the cheap. The point here is that we’re fast approaching the point where £167 million isn’t going to be an outlandish fee.
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If anyone is going to shatter the record it’s Manchester United. The Red Devils are desperate to give Jose Mourinho everything he needs to win trophies at Old Trafford. The biggest weakness in United’s current squad is the lack of a dynamic number ten.
Acquiring Neymar would emphatically solve that issue. He would revolutionize the United attack from day one. Imagine the space the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial or Henrikh Mkhitaryan would enjoy as opposing defenders focus on the flamboyant Brazilian. They may not be Mourinho’s idea of perfect attackers, but Neymar would make them significantly more effective.
The real question is whether or not United can find a similar talent for a significantly smaller fee. Griezmann, for example, could be had for just over half that transfer sum. Most would agree Neymar is a slightly better player, but the gap between the two isn’t all that significant.
Next: Manchester United set to sell star to Real Madrid
In the end, if Manchester United want to pry Neymar away from Barcelona they know what they need to do. Mourinho can simply meet his release clause and then the fun can really begin.