The Brazilian forward is yet to extend his current 2022 contract with Paris Saint Germain but has confirmed that the ongoing negotiations for a new deal will conclude in fruition for both parties.
Since joining the Parisians from Barcelona in a world record fee of €225m, Neymar has been heavily linked back with his former club, with the Catalan giants almost re-signing him in 2019.
In the summer of 2017, Neymar became the world’s most expensive footballer when he left Spain for France. The Brazilian signed a five-year contract with the Parisians on an estimated wage of €650,000 per week, something which didn’t go down well with his critics. However, the surplus burden of a mega transfer didn’t bother him and the former Santos star has established himself as a favourite among the Parc de Princes faithful. His sensational tally of 84 goals and 50 assists in 109 games helped PSG to lift three consecutive Ligue 1 crowns, French Cup and League Cup twice and three French Super Cup titles in his tenure.
But the 29-year-old had been involved in multiple rows with the PSG fans in the past over his disciplinary issues, but following the club’s successful run to the Champions League final last year and his contribution in the process, changed the scenario completely. This year too, Neymar has continued his exceptional form and has netted six times in seven Champions League games and 14 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions.
We are in talks with PSG. There is nothing pressing,
said Neymar.
Everything is nearly sorted. I feel at ease. I feel truly very happy here at PSG. Concerning the fans, that is what I can’t wait for the most, for them to be back in the stadium. I hope that they support all the players, that they will be there to encourage us.
He added.
PSG are currently second in the league with a single point differentiating them against first-placed Lille. But with just four games remaining, a tough task lies ahead of Pochettino who looks to add further silverware after just four months at his new club.
So, the Parisians have shifted every ounce of their focus to the Champions League. Runners-up of the previous season, Paris ousted Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, registering sweet revenge over the Bavarians for last year’s Champions League final. They face Manchester City in the semi-final first leg tie at home on Wednesday and the Argentine coach will be confident enough with Mbappe and Neymar in his starting eleven. And quite recently the former Tottenham boss lauded the Brazliian talisman and revealed that the superstar is easy to manage.
It’s so easy with Neymar because you don’t need to do too much,
Pochettino said.
From day one, he’s been very open to work. He’s very humble, he listens and always accepts all the instructions in a very good way. Brazilian players have something special inside. Ronaldinho was my team-mate when I was a PSG player and now Neymar. They need to feel good, to feel happy to perform in the best way.
Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in the pre-match press conference has claimed that Neymar could have added a few more Champions League titles had he stayed in Barcelona.
I’m pretty sure if he’d stayed in Barcelona they’d have won two or three Champions Leagues more, with Neymar, [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez – the best three I’ve seen.
The former Barca manager was then asked how he plans to stop Neymar in the last four, to which he added,
I try to sleep well last night and I slept when I was not thinking about their players like that. They are incredible, top players. We are going to try to stop them. We will train together, play good football, defend well as a team and try to score goals.
