Manchester United reportedly rejected an offer from Paris Saint-Germain to swap World Cup winner Paul Pogba for Neymar.
Paul Pogba looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer window after recently saying: ‘it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else’.
Real Madrid and Juventus are both interested in his signature, while Neymar is angling for move away from the French league, with a return to Barcelona his preferred choice.
But according to The Independent, Paris Saint-Germain approached United about a direct swap deal for the players, But United rejected the proposal, believing Neymar would cost too much.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who brought Pogba back to the club in 2016, has long being in the search for another marquee name as they try to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool.
But it’s reported he turned down the swap deal with Neymar because of concerns over his £900,000-a-week wages, and also because the red devils are so keen to keep the Frenchman.
Neymar currently earns double what United pay Alexis Sanchez, their highest-earner, and Ed Woodward was concerned about the kind of impact that could have on the club’s dressing room.
The Brazil international seems to have his heart set on a return to Barcelona, though, with Spanish media claiming he is ready to make a public apology to Barca fans in a bid to secure his return to the Nou Camp.
Neymar is hoping to leave Paris Saint-Germain in this summer window, just two years after he left Barcelona for the French capital in a world-record £198million transfer.
The move left a bitter taste in the mouth of some Barca fans and now Neymar is ready to rebuild bridges by apologising for his exit two years ago, according to Sport.
The deal currently has a very little chance of happening, and Barcelona are still seen as Neymar’s likeliest destination this transfer window.
