Reports are suggesting that Barcelona are playing hard ball with Santos over the transfer fee for Neymar.
They’re playing hard ball over the price of the 21-year-old because of the fact that he only has a year left on his current deal with Santos and they seem to be trying to save money.
That should set off alarm bells around Stamford Bridge because it’s a huge indication that Chelsea could still nip in and try to do a deal this summer for the Brazilian superstar.
His contract seems to be the sticking point because Barcelona have always been a club that tries to get the best possible value out of deals instead of paying well over the odds for players.
Chelsea now have an opportunity where they can blast Barcelona out of the water for Neymar, if Roman Abramovich is willing to commission the deal that would ultimately make that possible.
They could effectively go in and offer double what Barcelona are currently trying to buy him for, which will be a lot more appealing to the Brazilian club who won’t want to let one of their best ever players go on the cheap.
The obvious criticism of that is that Chelsea are just throwing their money around, regardless of the value of signing a particular player, just to get him through the front door.
It’s a move which could easily be criticised in the same way as Chelsea’s decision to fork out £50 million to sign Fernando Torres from Liverpool, which hasn’t exactly reflected the best value.
There are of course other issues which Chelsea need to have to overcome before that’s even possible and one is convincing Neymar that Stamford Bridge is a better destination for him than the Nou Camp.
Neymar has already voiced his preference towards a move to the Spanish giants but all of that could change, especially if Jose Mourinho is appointed next Chelsea boss and effectively guarantees Chelsea a crack at winning everything next season.
Neymar is one of those players who can just turn games around himself in a split second, which could make the difference for Chelsea next year.
The Blues could be in the most dominant position out of the big three sides who will all start the 2013/2014 season with different managers to those they are currently employing.
If Chelsea can nip in and do a deal for Neymar, when everyone effectively thought that was off the table then it will be a huge signing for the good of the team and one which sends out a huge sign of intent.
Can you see it happening or is he destined for Barcelona?
image: © simonw92
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