This summer inflated transfer fees have reached remarkable levels after big-spending PSG signed Brazilian forward Neymar for a world-record fee reported to be around £200million.
Even in these crazy days of clubs spending big money, few players could command that kind of fee in the transfer market. For me, Neymar is one of the best players in the world and proven in La Liga, so maybe it is relative.
However, he could not even claim to be the best player in the Barcelona team last season, never mind the world. He is a player that will raise PSG’s profile and excite on the pitch. The 25-year-old is also a player with the potential to be one of the best players in the world.
Needs a chance to be the main man
Neymar has been a player with big potential for a long time. Ever since he broke into the Santos team as a teenager, there was something special about the Brazilian. His performances drew obvious comparisons with Brazilian great Pele.
However, Neymar cannot even claim to be in the same league as his compatriot. A move to France and PSG could once again give the forward the chance to be the main man in a club team. Neymar was competing with Lionel Messi and even Luis Suarez for star billing at times in the last few seasons in Catalonia.
Being the main man at PSG gives him the chance to fulfil his potential and challenge for the mantle of best player in the world. The incredible fee is unlikely to distract Neymar. The Brazilian comes across as a highly confident individual, who is not scared of a challenge.
Maybe his ego could not take playing second fiddle to Messi at Barcelona. At PSG, the majority of the limelight will be on him and if he ever wants to reach the top of the game, he must deliver in the French capital.
PSG should be stronger next season
PSG have threatened to be a force in European football since the start of the decade. Their first leg Champions League last-16 display against Barcelona last season showed their potential, as they recorded a 4-0 win. However, their second leg display at the Nou Camp showed a lot of naivety.
Neymar will bring a street-wise quality to the PSG team. Every season the team from the French capital seem to get closer to becoming a true European power. However, they seem to come unstuck.
The addition of Neymar is a major statement of intent by the big spending French club. He is a player in the top echelon of football, even if he is not quite up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when it comes goals or assists in recent seasons.
Every summer PSG seem to get stronger. However, last season the French side failed to even win Ligue One, as Leonardo Jardim’s exciting young Monaco team took the French title. The team from the principality have lost a number of players this summer, so PSG will be confident of recapturing the French crown.
Champions League is the aim for ambitious owners
The PSG owners OSI are highly ambitious and their long-term goal was to turn PSG into a major force in the European game.
The French club are currently in the group of teams behind the usual suspects of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the betting at odds of 10/1 to win the Champions League. They are edging closer to becoming dangerous contenders in Europe’s elite competition.
The expectation is that the signing of Neymar will help the Parisians achieve their aim in the near future. However, maybe the French club needs to strengthen in a few others positions before they can threaten the dominance of the Spanish teams in the Champions League.
The Neymar move will no doubt have a major knock effect in the transfer market. That could heavily affect other big teams in the European game. It will be interesting to see the domino effect that it may well trigger in the next few weeks.
