Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta says Neymar would be very welcome if he decides to join from Barcelona.
Speaking after the 3-2 International Champions Cup loss to Juventus in Miami, the Brazil-born Italy international praised Neymar and said he hopes PSG can get a deal across the line.
“Of course we speak about it,” Motta told journalists at Hard Rock Stadium when asked if he and his PSG teammates have discussed the possibility of Neymar joining them. “He is a great player. What team in the world would not want Neymar?
“Everyone would like to have him in their team. Barca do not want to lose him and that is no surprise. He can make a difference. If he comes, he will be welcomed with open arms. I hope that things will finish well for PSG.
“To play alongside a player of his calibre is rare and they are difficult to find. So, why not?”
A source has told ESPN FC that Neymar and his father have agreed a contract with PSG and it is up to the club to find a way to complete the move without falling foul of financial fair play rules.
Barca’s Gerard Pique has publicly acknowledged PSG’s interest in his teammate and said in a news conference earlier this week that his “se queda” (“he stays”) tweet was intuition rather than fact.
Asked if PSG lack a player of Neymar’s quality, Motta admitted that few clubs are lucky enough to boast similar talents and that the Brazil international would walk into any team in the world.
“All teams lack this type of player,” Motta said. “To find a player of his ability is very, very difficult. He can play anywhere and of course he could play at PSG, that goes without saying. He is on another level.”
PSG’s ICC campaign is now over and the squad will fly from the United States to Morocco ahead of Saturday’s Trophee des Champions clash with Monaco.
Jonathan Johnson covers PSG and the French national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @Jon_LeGossip.