Manchester United Rumors: Neymar May Be Headed To Old Trafford

FC Barcelona standout Neymar is open to moving to Manchester United. According to sources close to the forward, the 23-year-old would consider joining because he is attracted by the size and history of Manchester United and the chance to play in the English Premier League.

Manchester United is trying to land Neymar before the September 1 transfer deadline, However, there is a long-term strategy in place to pursue him, with Manchester United believing the transfer may be more likely to transpire next summer.

At this time, Neymar has three years remaining on his contract. He is an integral member of a Barcelona team that won the Champions League, Copa Del Rey, and La Liga treble last season. Yet Manchester United think they can pry him away from the Spanish club.

Last week, Ed Woodward, Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, was in Barcelona. However, while it was reported that his visit was in order to close a deal for Pedro, who eventually went to Chelsea, it is understood that Woodward was there to continue his bid to land Neymar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPLLSh5nS7g

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Manchester United has run out of options at the forward position, but they must acquire one before the deadline, since Wayne Rooney has not been performing well. Sadio Mane of Southampton and Aleksandr Kokorin of Dynamo Moscow have been rumored to be targeted by Manchester United, but a possible signing of Neymar may take their eyes off of the two players who are more likely to be transferred.

Neymar’s Wagner Ribeiro agent insists that the Brazilian striker will not be joining Manchester United.

“There is nothing,” Ribeiro told Globo Esporte.

“This is summer window speculation. It does not exist. He has three more years on his contract. The English newspapers are very speculative. Barcelona never think about selling Neymar and he is very happy there.”

While Neymar’s current terms expire in 2018, his consideration for a transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United may be a ploy to extract the most money from the Spanish side. This is a factor the Manchester United hierarchy will surely be aware of.

Do you think Manchester United will ever make a transaction in order to acquire Neymar? If not, who do you see them picking up in order to fill the void at the forward position? Finally, how do you think United will fare this season?

[Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images Sports]