To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Real Madrid Identify Who To Sell To Fund Neymar Move

Real Madrid Identify Who To Sell To Fund Neymar Move

Los Blancos would have to pay big money in order to sign Neymar so they'd likely have to sell first.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Could Neymar recreate his transfer saga of last summer just a year later with an even bigger move to Real Madrid? If it were to happen then Real have a player in mind whose transfer could help fund the move.

They say a week is a long time in football which means that a year is 52 times longer than a 'long time.' Imagine this time last year thinking that Neymar would be a PSG player and that spending £50 million on a player would be the norm.

The Brazilian's decision to get out of Lionel Messi's shadow and the French club's decision to spend a world record breaking £198 million on his transfer release clause changed the whole landscape of transfers.

Less than a year ago Neymar inspired Barca to the most incredible comeback against PSG. Image: PA Images
Less than a year ago Neymar inspired Barca to the most incredible comeback against PSG. Image: PA Images

So imagining that he could leave Paris just a year later should seem ridiculous. However rumours that Real Madrid could make a move for him do feel like they're ever intensifying.

According to Spanish newspaper SPORT Los Blancos have already identified Toni Kroos as one star they would sell in order to be able to fund a move for Neymar, should the situation arise where they could.

Kroos has become one of the best midfielders in the world. Image: PA Images
Kroos has become one of the best midfielders in the world. Image: PA Images

If Real decided to sell Kroos there is no doubt that there would be a long list of suitors for his signature, with reports in England suggesting that Manchester United could be right at the top of that list.

The decision wouldn't necessarily be about transfer fees and would more likely be to lower the wage bill with Gareth Bale another on their list of potential departures, especially as Neymar's arrival would mean no place for the Welshman.

At this point it seems quite unlikely that the former Santos forward would be heading to the Bernabeu in the summer but the 12 times Champions League winners have long been after the 25 year old.

Neymar arrived in Paris last summer. Image: PA Images
Neymar arrived in Paris last summer. Image: PA Images

Real were the first team linked with the Brazilian before he left his home country and again even when he was a Barcelona player. They could use PSG as some sort of stop gap.

Neymar would be the long term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo if he landed in the Spanish capital.

A year ago you'd have said he wouldn't leave Barca, so never say never.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Manchester United, Barcelona, PSG, Neymar, Toni Kroos, Real Madrid

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

X

@Sidler28