Real Madrid emerge as favourites for £188m Neymar as Barcelona count cost of expensive flop transfers – The Sun

NEYMAR'S transfer back to Spain has taken a twist — after it emerged that Real Madrid are now front-runners to land him.

According to reports in France, moves to sell the world record £198million man have intensified, with Florentino Perez being offered the player for a comparable price.

Le Parisien claim Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes is involved in brokering the deal, and Neymar has exchanged messages with Karim Benzema and Marcelo.

The Brazilian superstar has pushed for a move away from Paris all summer with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi willing to sell the 27-year-old.

Neymar is returning to fitness after an ankle injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s Copa America winning campaign last month.

But PSG Sporting Director Leonardo revealed the forward will not feature in the Ligue 1 champion’s opening game of the season.

He claims transfer discussions for Neymar’s move away from the French capital are “more advanced" than ever this summer.

Neymar is said to be desperate to return to the Nou Camp this summer, but Barca chiefs are struggling to find the cash to re-sign their former No11.

PSG were offered £90m plus a choice of two players, including Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

However, the French champions are not interested in a player plus cash deal – wanting a straight transfer fee instead.

NEYM IN WHITE LIGHTS

It lead to Real stepping up interest in the Brazilian, despite Barca pleading with Neymar to end any transfer discussions with Bernabeu chiefs.

Nou Camp vice-president Jordi Cardoner “ruled out” re-signing Neymar this summer – despite recognising the player is unhappy in the French capital.

Cardoner said: "We are passive actors. We know he's not happy in Paris and it's a situation that needs to be resolved in Paris.

"We haven't spoken to them. There is a lot of respect between the clubs and if there is a Neymar case one day, we'll talk.

"Today, at this time, it's ruled out."

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