Premier League sides warned against pursuing spectacular Neymar transfer

Martin Macdonald

22 Dec 2025 07:30 CST
4 min read

Premier League sides have been warned against any potential plans to sign Brazilian superstar Neymar.

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The Santos star remains the most expensive footballer in history following his transfer-market-busting €222 move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

At 33, though, his powers have declined largely due to a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in 2023. Since then, he has struggled to find the sparkling form he enjoyed at Barca and at points for PSG.

He is currently with boyhood team Santos and a flurry of magical performances from him in the final matches of the season helped the club survive relegation, but overall his second spell at the club has been disappointing and peppered with controversy, such as berating his team-mates on the pitch on more than one occasion.

Neymar's contract expires at the end of the year and he has been linked with a shock move to the Premier League.

But, English football legend Chris Waddle reckons any approach for Neymar would be for marketing purposes only.

“I don’t think it would be a big club. He’s had a serious knee injury, a cruciate ligament, and although he scored a hat-trick recently, the Premier League is fast and furious," he told BestBettingSites.

“He’s pushing for the Brazilian squad, and to be honest, Brazil aren’t as strong as they used to be. He should probably get in, but I don’t see them winning the World Cup.

“When I look at Neymar and the English game, I’m not sure it suits him anymore. If someone did bring him in, it would be more about how many shirts they sell and the profile he brings rather than him making the team significantly better. It would be a commercial move rather than a football one. He’s not going to come to Sheffield Wednesday, is he?

“But realistically, it would be about the club’s profile, not just his ability. I’m not saying he’s not a good player - he is - but he’s 33 now. He’s had a major injury, he’s been playing back at Santos, and even though he scored a hat-trick recently, it’s a different level. To me, it would be about marketing, promotion and visibility rather than improving a team on the pitch.”

Will Neymar play for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup?

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti previously warned that he will only take players to the World Cup who are at 100% fitness.

He specifically name checked superstars Neymar and Vinicius Junior, both of whom have suffered from form and injury issues in 2025.

"There are many players who are very good, I need to choose players that are 100%," Ancelotti said at the World Cup draw.

"It's not just Neymar, it could be [Real Madrid forward] Vinicius. If Vinicius is at 90%, I'll call up another player who is at 100%, because it's a team that has a very high level of competence, especially up front. Up front, we have really many good players."

Ancelotti is asked about Neymar at every single press conference and questions came again as the player scored a hat-trick in his last match for Santos.

It seems the Italian is beginning to get frustrated by the constant questions as he says he doesn't "owe" anyone automatic selection for the squad next summer.

"If we talk about Neymar, we have to talk about other players," the legendary boss insisted.

"We have to think about Brazil, which can be with Neymar or without Neymar, with other players or without other players. The definitive list we will make after the FIFA date in March. I understand very well that they are very interested in Neymar, I want to clarify that we are in December, the World Cup is in June, I will choose the team that will go to the World Cup in May.

"If Neymar deserves to be, if he is well, better than someone else, he will play in the World Cup and period. I don't owe anyone a debt."

Brazil were put into a group alongside Scotland, Morocco and Haiti.

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