The saga surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future is finally over after Real Madrid and Juventus agreed a fee for the Portugal international’s move to the Allianz Stadium on July 10th.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez needs to bring in a player who can fill the void left by the 33-year-old’s departure from the Spanish capital club. It’s no surprise the name that has emerged is that of Paris Saint-Germian star Neymar.
The Brazil international left Barcelona and joined the Ligue 1 winners for a world-record fee of €222m last summer.
Today’s edition of Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims Perez has set his sights on signing the former Santos star, who is his first choice player to replace Ronaldo at the club.
Following Ronaldo’s departure, Mundo Deportivo claims Perez could expedite the process of trying to sign Neymar in the transfer window. The Champions League winners have already sent ‘an emissary’ to Brazil.
His job is to hold talks with Neymar and his father to convince the player to leave PSG and join Real Madrid. Perez wants the 26-year-old to tell the Parc des Princes outfit that he wants to leave so that it will become easier for Perez to negotiate with the French champions.
Perez and Real Madrid don’t want to go on a war with PSG, which is why they want the player to ask for an exit. The 13-time European champions are aware that the operation will cost them anywhere around €250m and €300m.
In addition to this, Neymar earns €40m-a-year and Madrid want to see if he is willing to take a pay cut to join the La Liga giants.
If they fail to sign Neymar, Real Madrid will turn their attention towards Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
