Pep Guardiola has allegedly reached out to Neymar via a phone call, suggesting that the Brazilian superstar is increasingly inclined to depart from Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming season.
This conversation between Guardiola and Neymar comes shortly after news surfaced indicating that Manchester United could be among the clubs expressing interest in acquiring the winger’s services.
Neymar had an exceptional individual season in France before his involvement was hindered by an ankle injury, cutting short his further participation.
PSG were then eliminated from the Champions League, provoking angry reactions from the club’s ultras, who have now demanded that Neymar and Lionel Messi leave the club.
While Messi will be a free agent, Neymar remains contracted until 2027 and it remains to be seen if the French side will want to cash in on him.
As L’Euipe reports, Guardiola checked in on the 31-year-old, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Manchester City will move in for him.
On paper, Manchester City are among the few clubs that can pay the astronomical wages of the former Barcelona man. The Mirror adds that Manchester United are also tempted by the possibility of bringing Neymar to Old Trafford.
How Guardiola could line up with Neymar
Despite his injury concerns, Neymar is a world-class player who would readily walk into any team.
Should Guardiola’s phone calls turn into a move to the Etihad, Sports Brief takes a look at how he would fit Guardiola’s plans. The Spanish manager has shown over the years that he is not afraid to tweak his system.
1. As a left winger
This is the Brazilian’s position of strength. he has played a majority of his career from the left wing due to the lethal nature of his right foot. Jack Grealish has, however, made this position his own this season after initially struggling since joining from Aston Villa.
2. As a secondary striker
Should Guardiola stick with Grealish on the left wing, Neymar could easily be moved into a secondary striker position.
It is the same position he adopted under Tite in the Brazil national team set up to allow for Vinicius Junior’s inclusion into the team.
Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 formation would see him play alongside Kevin De Bruyne, just behind Erling Haaland and just in front of a double pivot midfield, usually of John Stones and Rodri, with Grealish and Bernardo Silva covering the flanks.
This could also solve the Ilkay Gundogan issue. The skipper is yet to agree a new deal with the club.
3. As a number 10
This is highly unlikely given that Guardiola rarely uses the 4-2-3-1 formation to allow for the number 10 to play behind the striker. However, De Bruyne slightly dropping in deep could allow Neymar to play in between two wingers, just behind the main striker.
Guardiola could as easily come up with a different position for the talented forward. It would be exciting to see what he adds to the current Manchester City team should he join this summer.
Neymar skips title celebrations
Sports Brief has also reported that Neymar elected not to travel to Strasbourg, where a solitary Lionel Messi goal secured a 1-1 draw for the Parisians and confirmed their second successive Ligue 1 title.
The Brazilian instead attended the showcase Formula 1 event in Monaco and was pictured alongside Hollywood superstars like Tom Holland, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Douglas – a decision that has not gone down well with the club.
Neymar’s absence from their title celebrations has reportedly been seen as an ‘act of provocation’ by the PSG hierarchy, as his exit this summer appears increasingly likely.