Mundo Deportivo are worried.
On Monday morning, the Spanish newspaper’s front page is a picture of Neymar with the word ‘HARASSMENT’ or ‘BULLYING’ spread across it next to badges of three European clubs trying to sign Barcelona’s second best player.
As you may have already guessed, the three teams happen to be Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
It was all going so well for the La Liga BBVA champions; the player was close to agreeing a contract renewal, but then the infamous trio had to come and become ‘aguafiestas’ (spoilsports).
Now, Barcelona are only 50% sure he Neymar will sign the new contract, with Paris Saint-Germain the strongest opponent in their quest to tie him down.
However, do not discount Manchester United in this race, as the Premier League club are said to have despatched Pini Zahavi to Brazil to try and convince the player’s entourage (most likely his father) to send Neymar to England.
This wouldn’t be Zahavi’s first time in attempting to convince him to go to Old Trafford, but there’s no indication this time will be any different. He’s just trying again.
As for Madrid, the mole in the player’s entourage that is Wagner Ribeiro is the main worry for Barcelona, with the Brazilian agent having sided with Florentino Pérez more than once in the past.
Currently standing at €190m, Neymar’s release clause hasn’t been enough to deter the biggest teams in the world, and Barcelona’s plan would be to make him sign a new contract with an increased release clause of €230m.
If that’s the best they can do, we’re not sure €40m is what’s going to put off the aforementioned trio.
It’s all up to Neymar now.
