‘The appeal is real’ – Neymar tipped to follow Messi to MLS

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 Jul 2023 16:38 BST
• 4 min read

Neymar could follow former PSG and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi to MLS, according to a report from Spain.

The Brazil international attacker finds himself under fire at the Ligue 1 side, who are willing to offload him to ease their wage bill.

Neymar signed for PSG in 2017 for a world-record transfer fee of €222 million from Barcelona but has struggled with injury problems, while his lifestyle away from the field has also drawn regular criticism from the media.

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The 31-year-old attacker was initially linked to Premier League clubs as it became evident that PSG are open to a sale, with Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea among those associated with him, but now a move to MLS is being discussed.

According to Relevo: “Contacts between Neymar’s entourage and the MLS continue. A meeting between PSG coach Luis Enrique and the Brazilian is expected in the coming days to see which way to go – the Spanish coach could convince Neymar to stay – but the appeal of MLS is real.

“On the other hand, Real Mallorca’s Lee Kang-In will be made official as a new PSG player next week.”

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PSG's summer overhaul

PSG’s squad is set for a summer overhaul, with the possibility still lingering that Kylian Mbappe could also follow Messi out the door.

The relationship between the France international and PSG continues to be strained, with an interview from the ex-Monaco attacker in the weekend’s edition of France Football ramping up the pressure on the Parisian side to bring the situation to a resolution as rapidly as possible.

This soap opera has taken centre stage to the Neymar issue, but with the Brazilian having been back later than expected for pre-season training due to legal issues in his homeland, the uncertainty over the forward’s situation should not be forgotten.

For MLS, meanwhile, Neymar would represent another enormous coup.