3 potential destinations for Neymar next season

Neymar’s controversial period at PSG looks to be nearing an end. Since he was acquired for a world record €222m from Barcelona in 2017, the Brazilian has failed in his quest to make PSG the best team in the world.

The persistent failures of “les rouge-et-bleu” in the Champions League has left a dark hole in the Brazilian’s reputation.

Now, PSG are ready to move on from Neymar. As per Spanish outlet AS, the French side has decided to take a huge loss and sell him for only around £76m in the summer. After fans heavily booed him towards the end of the campaign, the club seems content with the idea of letting him go.

That being said, only a few clubs are equipped to sign Neymar. Here are three potential landing spots for Neymar next season.

Neymar to Newcastle United?

One club totally able to afford the expensive deal to sign Neymar are the newly-rich Newcastle United. The Magpies have received a huge shot in wealth after being taken over by Saudi owners. They’ll be hunting for top quality players in the summer transfer window and Neymar is a golden opportunity.

According to The Sun, the Magpies have discussed the prospect of signing Neymar. The Brazilian’s controversial nature aside, he’s a world-class player who will automatically raise Newcastle’s quality and popularity. Having a creative, impactful forward like Neymar – who can play all across the attacking line – can be hugely beneficial for the Magpies.

For Neymar, the move might be a downgrade, but he’ll have all his financial demands fulfilled and get to prove himself in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old, who has 98 goals and 60 assists in 142 appearances for PSG, has the quality to excel in England. Helping Newcastle reach newer heights in the Premier League can help fix his reputation as one of the best of his generation.

Back to Barcelona

Ever since he left Barcelona in 2017, there has been a feeling that the club have lacked that special, creative left-winger at the club. A sense of an “incomplete journey” has stayed on among fans and probably inside Neymar as well. Last year, Barça president Joan Laporta made a surprising claim that Neymar was crazy about a return to the Camp Nou.

Is it possible this time around? Barça are looking to make some statement signings in the summer and Neymar’s return can be one of them. Xavi knows the Brazilian’s strengths and weaknesses well enough, having played with him for a few years.

Neymar himself knows the “Tiki-taka” system perfectly, having excelled in it during his time with Barça, for whom he scored 105 goals and registered 76 assists in 186 games.

The 30-year-old can use his experience to help the youngsters improve at Barça and a strict manager like Xavi will keep him grounded – ensuring Neymar’s “last dance” at Camp Nou would be an eventful one.

AC Milan

A potential “wildcard” move could be Serie A. Like Cristiano Ronaldo did with Juventus, the Brazilian winger can also take up a new challenge in the competitive Italian league. As of now, it’d be difficult for any Italian side to be able to afford a Neymar.

In 2020, Spanish outlet Don Balon suggested that AC Milan wanted to sign Neymar. AC Milan are going to have new owners soon, with Bahrain-based Investcorp likely to take over soon (via SempreMilan). Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that the new owners could pump them with a €300m transfer budget in the summer.

If that is so, Milan would definitely have the funds. The Brazilian would be basically moving from one rich team to another, but Milan are an old-age European heavyweight with seven Champions League titles to their name.

Becoming a creative force and the focal point in the Italian powerhouse’s attack could be an attractive prospect. The challenge of helping Milan get to the top of the Champions League again might be one he’d be willing to take, while the lifestyle of the cosmopolitan city would satisfy the showboat, party-freak in him too. Neymar could be intrigued by this destination.