Since arriving Camp Nou in 2013 for over €100 million, former Brazil skipper Neymar junior has continuously grown into a better player, forming perhaps the most lethargic attacking partnership in history with Messi and Suarez.
His stellar performances prompted a swift contract extension talks from Barcelona, and after months of stalling, the 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist finally put pen to paper this summer for a new 5-year deal.
Neymar’s current buyout clause is €200million. It rises to €222million next summer and €250million from its 3rd to 5th year of running. He rejected an eye-watering PSG deal this summer, while the Manchester clubs have also constantly made attempts to lure the south American to the EPL.
Both teams are still interested in having the former Santos wonder kid, but why should either of them go all the way to activate his enormous release clause.
He’s just hitting his peak
Since establishing himself as an attacking force to reckon with at Santos while still a teenager, Neymar hasn’t stopped getting better, and is currently the 3rd best player on earth going by the last Fifa Ballon d’Or ratings. And he’s just 24.
With 49 goals in 73 matches for the national team, he is currently the 4th highest goalscorer ever. In club football, he has 226 goals in 373 total appearances, and it’s noteworthy knowing he has only played 8 seasons as a professional footballer. The numbers are getting better.
If any of the Mancunian sides manages to lure him over, they stand the rare privilege of enjoying Neymar when he starts to produce his best performances at around 26/27 years of age.
By then, his level of maturity and experience will combine to make him arguably the best player on earth. Barcelona knows this, and that’s why they aren’t willing to let him go until he is 29.
He would finally emerge from within Messi’s shadow
Many believe Neymar won’t be the undisputed player on earth until Messi fades into the background. Even at 29, the Argentine hasn’t stopped attracting all the attention for his on-pitch brilliance.
It could take 2 or 3 more years before the attention shifts from Messi, and with City or United coming for Neymar, he wouldn’t have to wait that long. If Neymar is on either side of Manchester, he would be able to call the shots in attack.
His best performances in the Barcelona Jersey have been mostly in the absence of Messi. Without Messi to share the glory with, Neymar will be the best player in any team, and definitely league if it’s the EPL we are talking about.
The transfer fees is ridiculous, but considering the enormous benefits (commercially inclusive) that will accompany his signing, it’s rightly deserved at the end of the day.
Neymar is worth every penny
If Pogba did cost €100million, Neymar is no doubt worth double. Apart from the certainty that any of the sides able to land him has a clear advantage of winning the league, contending heavily for European glory is certain.
Neymar has thrived playing on both flanks, as a striker and in an advanced attacking midfield role. If Mourinho or Guardiola is able to play him in the best position in their teams, then they can expect him to hit the ground running and deliver the best quality available.
Neymar isn’t one to get pressurized because of heavy fees. He is used to having all eyes on him, continually coming under heavy scrutiny, yet the critics have always been at the losing end. He led Brazil to their first ever Olympics glory and might have won the 2014 World Cup for them if he didn’t get injured.
Neymar delivers on the big stage, and there is no single reason why the 2 biggest clubs in England shouldn’t go for his services.