Latest rumours suggest links to superstar

There has been a lot of talk over the years with Manchester City linked to the superstars of the game. Rumours are beginning to circle again with another icon of modern football supposedly coming to the Etihad.

We had Cristiano Ronaldo prior to his move to the red half last year, Lionel Messi too at the start of 2021 and now it’s Neymar’s turn to front the rumours of a reunion with Pep Guardiola. But, can we believe it?

Those links never became a reality and there is nothing concrete to suggest this will also.

The rumours appear to originate from a user named 93:20 blue on the Blue Moon forum, with the questionable source claiming a “huge huge name is coming”. These messages comes without even naming the individual in question with many supporters guessing Neymar from the clues laid out.

https://twitter.com/Josh_Wilson33/status/1547694515862904836

The Brazilian has reportedly been told he can leave the French capital as the Qatar-oil-rich cub focused on securing Kylian Mbappe this summer and letting him dictate where the club is heading. Football advisor/Sporting Director, Luis Campos, agrees with that direction but there is opposition likely to come from the new man in charge, Christophe Galtier.

"“Neymar is a world-class player, what coach wouldn’t want him in his squad. We have to find a balance in the team,” he said in his first press conference."

The management at the French champions will want to get the 30-year-old’s wages off their books and will accept a reduced offer, rumoured to be around the £60 million mark. Bargain I would say.

However, he holds all the power given his contract has three-years left to run and his good friend, Messi, remaining, it is hard to see an exit.

Plus, it being a World Cup year could it make it more difficult with the focus being on the tournament in Qatar. His name will be etched in the yellow and green folklore should he be able to return the golden trophy back to Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo come 2023, and this could well be his last chance.

There is no doubt of interest from the English champions though. City officials and Guardiola are fond of Neymar through the Barcelona days and seeing him replace Raheem Sterling makes sense.

The departures of this window allows the freedom for City to splurge big. And, big is required to get Neymar, with his wages likely to eclipse any player currently at the club.

The injury record of the past two seasons is the only negative considered when thinking logically, however, most City fans will be purring at the chance of seeing him join Haaland, Foden, De Bruyne and co next season.

It is hard to get too excited following these rumours but maybe, just maybe, there is potential to see how things develop over the coming weeks. We will wait and see.