Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Parc des Princes for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Brazil international got off to a flying start in the 2022-23 season under Christophe Galtier, amassing 18 goals and 17 assists from 29 appearances across all competitions.
However, a serious ankle injury brought Neymar’s campaign to a close in February, and he has also been the target of fans’ frustrations over the past year.
During fierce protests in the wake of Lionel Messi’s unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, members of PSG’s ultras showed up outside Neymar’s house to demand that the attacker leave the club.
Barcelona were believed to have been keen on bringing Neymar back to Catalonia last summer – a view shared by the 31-year-old – but the Blaugrana could not afford to do so due to their financial concerns.
Chelsea are also rumoured to be keeping tabs on Neymar’s future, while clubs in Saudi Arabia have inevitably been linked with an approach as well.
However, Neymar’s contract at the Parc des Princes still runs for another two seasons with the option of a third, and the Brazilian has affirmed that he plans to remain in Paris, even if his relationship with the fans remains frosty.
“I hope it’s at PSG (next season). I have a contract, no one has informed me of anything,” Neymar told CazeTVOficial. “Even if there isn’t much love between the fans & the player, I will be there (at PSG), with love or without love.”
Neymar’s €222m (£193.1m) move to PSG from Barcelona in 2017 remains the most expensive transfer of all time, and the ex-Santos man has since amassed 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 matches for Les Parisiens.
Neymar won his fifth Ligue 1 title during the 2022-23 season and ended the campaign with 11 assists, only below Messi’s 16 despite his premature end to the campaign.
PSG have already waved goodbye to Messi on a free transfer this summer, while the future of Kylian Mbappe – another member of the famed front three – is a headline topic once again.
The France international recently told the club that he would not be taking up the option to extend his contract for another year, meaning that he could depart as a free agent in 2024.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted that Mbappe will not be walking out of the door for nothing, and he has allegedly given the attacker an ultimatum to extend his deal or be sold this summer.
However, Mbappe intends to see out the 2023-24 campaign with PSG, who have added to their attacking ranks this summer with the captures of Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-in.
PSG’s first pre-season game sees them welcome Ligue 2 champions Le Havre to their training ground on Friday, and Mbappe has been named in the squad for that fixture.
