Neymar was offered to Manchester City by PSG but Pep Guardiola 'emphatically' rejected the proposal

Manchester City rejected the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Neymar was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with Chelsea also touted as a possible destination for the Brazil international.

But a transfer failed to materialise for Neymar before the the window shut for English clubs on Thursday night.

According to Spanish publication Marca, City were offered Neymar late in the window but turned down the opportunity to sign the 30-year-old.

It is claimed that PSG were willing to sell the Brazilian, despite his strong start to the new season, due to a breakdown in relationship between him and star forward Kylian Mbappe.

The report claims City "had no intention of undertaking a signing of such dimensions and with possible effects on the dressing room and the team's operation, despite the quality of the player".

There is reportedly tension between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe (Image: Alamy)

Meanwhile, another Spanish outlet SPORT claim City boss Pep Guardiola "emphatically declined" the proposal as "he did not want a bad atmosphere in his dressing room".

It is claimed that Neymar has caused "tension" at PSG, most notably with Mbappe.

Questions have been raised over whether the pair can peacefully co-exist in the same team, with the issue of penalties once again rearing its head in recent weeks.

Spanish press claim Pep Guardiola 'emphatically' turned down the chance to sign Neymar (Image: Alamy)

Despite head coach Christophe Galtier confirming Mbappe is the No 1 penalty taker this season, Neymar refused to let the France international take a second spot kick against Montpellier last month after he had already missed one in the match.

According to ESPN, Mbappe was unhappy with the way Neymar took the ball for the second penalty and refused to allow him another opportunity to score.

It is not the first time Neymar has clashed with a teammate over penalties while at PSG, with the Brazilian also being involved in a similar incident with Edinson Cavani during the 2017-18 season.

Mbappe has seen his influence grow at PSG since signing a record-breaking three-year deal in May, which sees him earn a reported £1m per week at the Parc des Princes.

Neymar, meanwhile, remains the most expensive player in history, having moved from Barcelona to PSG in a £198m transfer in 2017.

He has gone on to score 109 goals in 150 games for the French champions and remains under contract with the club until 2025.

Topics: Manchester City, Football, Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain, Transfers, Ligue 1

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan