Sources: Chicago Fire, Neymar Reps Met in London
Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto met with super-agent Pini Zahavi in London in recent days, sources tell MIR97 Media. Zahavi represents Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr., who has been linked with a move to Chicago and MLS this week.
Sources added that while talks between the Fire and Neymar's camp remain preliminary in nature, there exists a very real possibility of making the move happen. The league is also heavily involved in the negotiations. The Fire hold Neymar's MLS discovery rights, as reported by Tom Bogert; this means the Fire are the only MLS team allowed to negotiate with the 32-year-old.
In addition, sources say that reports that Mansueto and Sporting Director Gregg Broughton are in Riyadh are untrue. No Fire representatives have been in Saudi Arabia this week.
Neymar, who is reportedly on the way out of current club Al-Hilal after an unsuccessful 18-month spell in Saudi Arabia, has openly discussed a move to the United States in recent weeks. He told CNN that a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami would be “incredible,” but his expensive salary demands mean he would be a Designated Player in MLS. Miami currently don’t have any open DP slots, making Chicago the most likely destination.
Notably, Neymar was excluded from Al-Hilal's official squad for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season. Head Coach Jorge Jésus told reporters that despite Neymar's omission from the league roster, he hopes to keep the Brazilian at the club for AFC Champions League and Club World Cup. The Club World Cup will be held in the United States over the summer, with Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders being MLS' two representatives.
In an interview with Brazilian legend Romário, Neymar recently said that "t
he possibility of staying in Saudi after (his) contract exists.” His current deal – reportedly earning around €100 million annually – expires in June. While an MLS deal would likely not come close to that figure, Neymar would still almost certainly be MLS' best-paid player, eclipsing Lionel Messi's nominal $20 million annual salary.Zahavi's agency – Gol International – also represents Robert Lewandowski, Christopher Nkunku, Aleksandar Mitrović, and new Fire signing Philip Zinckernagel, among others.
Read more:
https://meninred97.com/rumor-mill-neymar-linked-with-chicago-fire-move/
https://meninred97.com/why-neymar-signing-would-make-sense-for-the-fire/
