Man Utd ‘make Neymar contract decision’ after Ten Hag refused to rule out deal

Ten Hag coy on Man Utd's links with Neymar

Manchester United are unwilling to offer Neymar a long-term contract at the club with negotiations ‘stalling’, according to reports. The Paris Saint-Germain star has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as the summer transfer window nears. And Erik ten Hag recently refused to rule out a move for the Brazil international, too.

News broke of United’s interest in Neymar earlier in the week.

But Sport now say the Red Devils are reluctant to offer the 31-year-old a lengthy contract due to his salary demands.

Neymar is one of the biggest earners in the whole of world football, with the Brazil international pocketing a massive £26million per year in France.

And United are wary of falling into a trap, despite their admiration for the Samba star.

The report says the PSG star is also on the radar of Chelsea, with Todd Boehly ready to back Mauricio Pochettino once the Argentine gets started at Stamford Bridge.

But the Blues, like United, are being cautious over Neymar and are again hesitant to give him the salary he wants.

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Both sides are said to harbour some concerns over the attacker’s fitness as well, with injuries hampering him in recent years.

While Neymar has produced the goods for PSG ever since his arrival from Barcelona in 2017, he’s spent a large period of time on the sidelines ever since.

PSG are open to cutting their talisman loose as they plan for a brighter future and look to win the Champions League next term.

And it’ll be interesting to see where Neymar ends up.

Barcelona were keen on re-signing the Brazilian back in the summer transfer window of 2019 as they looked to please Lionel Messi.

In the end a move didn’t materialise, with the Catalan giants opting to spend big on Antoine Griezmann instead.

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And that ship seems to have sailed, with Barcelona currently focusing their efforts on brining Messi back to the Nou Camp two years on from his emotional departure.

United’s stance on Neymar could also stem from how big-earners have struggled to live up to expectations in recent years.

They expected huge things from Paul Pogba when he returned from Juventus all the way back in 2016.

But the France international never lived up to his huge £89million price tag and was cut loose at the end of last season.

United thought Alexis Sanchez would be the ticket to Premier League title glory upon landing the Chile international from Arsenal in January 2018.

He was given a huge salary worth £400,000-a-week, which upset many players at the club.

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And Sanchez would proceed to score just five goals before being offloaded to Serie A giants Inter Milan.

David De Gea is currently the biggest earner at the club, with the 32-year-old pocketing £375,000-a-week.

But the Red Devils are hoping the Spain international will accept a salary deduction as they seek to negotiate a new contract.

Ten Hag was directly asked about Neymar on Wednesday and hinted at interest by saying: “When we have news we will tell you.”

Louis Saha, meanwhile, recently urged United against a deal for Neymar.

“It would be great for the Premier League to have Neymar playing in England because he’s such a terrific player,” he said.

“He’s very entertaining to watch but I can understand the question marks that can come from having a player like Neymar at your club.

“I’m just a big fan of the player on the pitch but I don’t believe he’s lived up to expectations in his last three or four seasons with PSG.

“I wouldn’t want to see him in a Manchester United shirt considering the exaggerated media attention a superstar like him would attract.

“The team structure is so important and still fragile at times.

“But I certainly believe he’d be a great addition to the Premier League.”

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