Neymar has made it clear to Paris Saint-Germain that he would like to move to Real Madrid this summer, but the French treble winners will not allow their prized asset to depart without a fight.
Goal understands that the 26-year-old Brazil international has made his feelings known to the board of the Ligue 1 champions, just one year after making a world record €222 million (£200m/$262m) switch from Barcelona last summer.
PSG are ready to play hardball with their ace, who they desperately want to keep hold of.
Neymar’s agent Pini Zahavi met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on May 13 before meeting with Neymar’s lawyer a day later, with the player’s father in the background eager to push a deal through.
PSG’s desire, however, is that they will retain the services of the player, who is under contract until 2022.
If Madrid do force through a deal, it is not expected to be completed before the end of the World Cup, which finishes on July 15.
Since moving to France, there have been reports that the Parc des Princes side were simply a stepping stone to the Bernabeu club, and the striker has made it clear that is the destination that he wishes to reach by the close of the transfer window.
His future in Paris has been beset by speculation for months, with his attitude towards his team-mates questioned when he and Edinson Cavani had a very public falling out over who should take a penalty in a league fixture against Dijon.
