As rumours of Neymar’s move the Real Madrid escalated this week, Zinedine Zidane refused to be drawn on the future of the Brazilian international.
Neymar, who moved to Paris Saint Germain from Barcelona a year ago, returned to France to finalise treatment on a foot injury which has kept him sidelined since February. The 26-year-old was amongst the crowd at the Stade De France on Tuesday to witness PSG complete the domestic treble with a 2-0 victory over Les Herbiers in the final of the Coupe de France.
His return sparked more reports of an impending move to the Bernebeu with Spanish media outlet AS running a front page feature claiming Neymar met twice with a Real Madrid delegate in Brazil last month.
Zidane was asked to comment on the possible transfer deal at Tuesday’s post-training press conference but the Real coach refused to be drawn.
“[Neymar] is not my player,“ he said
“I am not getting into this. I am just concerned with finishing the season well.”
Reports suggest Real Madrid will have to pay €260m as PSG want to make a profit on the player they signed for €220m last summer. Neymar is thought to be frustrated at playing in the French league and is keen on making a return to Spain.
Real have been a launching a charm offensive and according to AS, Neymar met up with Real Madrid new boy Vinicius Junior in Rio de Janeiro in March. The pair posted a selfie on social media sparking suggestions that Real Madrid wanted them to get to know each other before teaming up at the Bernabeu in the future.
Vinicius told The Guardian he wanted to play with Neymar at Real Madrid.
“I know I am still no one and I have done nothing so far,” he said. “I want to become one of the best players in football and win a World Cup. I want to reach my goals and make my family proud.
“If God wants, Neymar and I will play together at Real Madrid. I would definitely be in favour of him moving to Madrid because it would be my big dream to play in the same side as Neymar.
“He is my idol in football. If had a chance to play with him, I would feel very happy.”
There were reports last month that Neymar’s father had been in discussions with Florentino Perez who is expected to finance an overhaul of the squad in the summer.
Neymar was still in Brazil at the time but the agent is said to have put forward his son’s recommendations to improve the Real Madrid squad.
