The future of all three big attacking superstars at PSG are up in the air this summer, and big changes could be imminent.
With significant fees likely to be required in the event of any move for PSG's under-contract stars, Premier League blue bloods could be the ones to benefit.
Reports in late May got things truly started, with a report that Manchester United were interested in moving for PSG star Neymar.
With the Red Devils up for sale by current owners the Glazer family, there's plenty that's up in the air at Old Trafford as well, but a fit could make sense as United continue their efforts to return to the top of the Premier League standings.
MORE: Lionel Messi's new club in 2023?
Neymar to Manchester United latest news
According to a May 22 report by Jose Barroso of French sports outlet L'Equipe, Manchester United and PSG are engaged in active negotiations regarding a deal for Neymar.
The report states that because Neymar is out injured for the remainder of the season, the sides are able to engage in early negotiations, rather than waiting for play this season to conclude.
There apparently is still a bit of a gulf between the two sides on any potential deal, with Manchester United preferring a less risky loan, while PSG prefer a permanent transfer. The report indicates that a meeting is forthcoming between PSG executives and Neymar's representatives to sort out their approach.
Breaking | Active negotiations between Manchester United & PSG for Neymar, according to L’Équipe. More follows.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 22, 2023
However, just an hour after the L'Equipe report was published, Mark Ogden of ESPN put forth his own conflicting report, though qualifying it slightly, "Manchester United aren't pursuing a deal for Neymar. Not the current regime, anyway."
That last qualifier is important, because with Manchester United up for sale, Ogden is allowing for the possibility that a new owner would potentially pursue Neymar once the purchase has been completed. Yet it's clear that Ogden is denying any contact between the current club hierarchy and the player.
Ogden's ESPN colleague Julien Laurens also published a similar report denying the L'Equipe news that any active negotiations are currently underway.
Manchester United aren’t pursuing a deal for Neymar. Not the current regime anyway.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) May 22, 2023
On May 23, Mundo Deportivo's Paris correspondent Dani Gil said United were "not convinced" by the idea of a move for Neymar. Gil's report said there are reservations at Old Trafford about the Brazilian's injury record and tendency to make headlines for off-field behaviour, which could undermine the improvements Erik ten Hag has made to the dressing room. Gil also backed up ESPN in saying there are no active negotiations between the clubs.
MORE: Latest updated on Man United sale process
Neymar transfer fee, contract, salary
It's unclear what Neymar would cost in the event of a permanent transfer, which is what PSG reportedly desire.
Still, it's highly unlikely that he would command the same world-record $240 million transfer fee that PSG paid to bring him to the French capital from Barcelona in 2017.
While Neymar is clearly still a brilliant player, he is now 31 years old and coming off yet another ankle surgery, which cut his season short back in February. Neymar's history of ankle injuries, largely a result of consistent fouling, have sapped him of consistent playing time over the past few years.
Currently, at PSG, Neymar has two years remaining on the four-year deal he signed back in May of 2021, although the contract has a player option for an additional year, meaning his contract could expire in the summer of 2025, or 2026 depending on what the Brazilian chooses.
According to a report published by L'Equipe in March of 2022 with the top 30 salaries in the French top flight, Neymar makes €815,000 ($880,000) per week on his current PSG contract, which amounts to a staggering €42.38 million ($45.82 million) per year.
How would Neymar fit at Man United?
Neymar would be a stellar signing for Manchester United...as long as he can stay on the field, and that's the same for any team he might move to.
The Brazilian is a top three player in the world when healthy. Even playing just half the season, Neymar's 28 goal contributions (15 goals, 13 assists) this season in league play remain 14th among all players in the Big 5 European leagues. His 74.68 minutes per goal contribution rank second across the Big 5 European leagues behind just the record-setting season of Erling Haaland.
Neymar's incredible on-ball skills are also still at the world-class level, ranking sixth across the Big 5 Leagues in minutes per chance created at one every 32.17 minutes.
The issues with Neymar are mostly off the field at this point. He's been slighted in some places for having a selfish personality on and off the pitch, and there are reports that in the face of persistent criticism both at home and abroad, Neymar's love for the game has dwindled.
His health also remains a significant concern, having missed excessive time for repeated injuries the past few seasons, mostly due to his ankle.
MORE: Everything you wanted to know about Neymar
Why is Neymar leaving PSG?
Thanks to constant Champions League disappointments over the past few seasons, PSG are reportedly set to pivot away from the strategy of signing big-money stars, and Neymar is right in the middle of that.
Lionel Messi is likely to leave the club at the end of the season, these reports about Neymar won't be going anywhere soon. There have also been murmurs that Real Madrid could go back in for Kylian Mbappe.
The L'Equipe report states that "The capital club would not oppose, under certain conditions, the departure of Neymar this summer.
"Paris is not a seller, but for once, the various internal parts are on the same page in this case. For some, it would be a question of ratifying the evolution of the project towards less flash and more discipline. For others, building a more balanced team around a single star, namely Kylian Mbappe, is preferable."
MORE: Why Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar have failed to win the Champions League
Has Neymar played in Premier League?
Neymar has never played in the Premier League before, and it would be a new chapter of his career.
He began his career at famed Brazilian side Santos before departing for Barcelona in 2013 in a high-profile €88 million ($95.15 million) move.
After playing for four seasons at the Spanish club, where he won two La Liga championships, three Copa del Rey titles, and a Champions League crown, he moved to PSG, where he has spent the last five years.
In 173 games for PSG across all competitions, Neymar has scored 118 goals and 77 assists, amassing 14,419 minutes in total.
Of his PSG totals, 22 goals and 17 assists came in the Champions League across 41 games, peaking in the 2019/20 season when he helped them to the UCL final, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
