Real Madrid are desperate to firm up a deal for Neymar before the World Cup, according to reports.
The Spanish giants have launched ‘Operation Neymar’ in their bid to capture the Brazilian striker for a fee topping the world record £198million paid by Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar, 26, only joined the Ligue 1 table-toppers last summer but is thought to be unhappy with life in the French capital.
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AS reports the former Barcelona hitman as saying “five months have been like five years”.
Real are very keen to give Neymar a way out and AS suggest a meeting took place in a Paris hotel a few weeks ago between Madrid official and the player’s father.
Real defender and fellow Brazilian Marcelo has apparently played a key role in encouraging Neymar to sign for Madrid.
He used the first knockout round of the Champions League to tell the PSG marksman that he would be very well received in the Los Blancos dressing room.
It seems that knowledge finally convinced Neymar that the Bernabeu is the place for him.
For their part Real want things wrapped up quickly so they can plan their strategy for other transfer targets depending on how much Neymar costs.
It is also reported that sportswear giants Nike could help Madrid bankroll the deal.
Real are currently kitted out by Adidas in a deal that is worth £40m per season and is set to expire in 2020.
Nike want to sponsor the Champions League holders and will use the arrival of Neymar to push the deal.
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Neymar, currently injured after injuring his ankle late last month, didn’t take long to become disillusioned with life at Parc Des Princes.
His time in Paris has been fraught with controversy.
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He has been embroiled in confrontations with teammates such as Edinson Cavani and has been said to be personally disappointed with the inferior quality of French football.
This week fans were shocked by Neymar’s post to social media in which he appears to compare his ankle injury woes to Stephen Hawking’s lifelong ALS
But Neymar has not disappointed on the pitch, though. He has scored 29 goals and created 17 more in just 30 matches.