Neymar return important for La Liga - president Javier Tebas

Published on: 30 January 2018

ESPN FC's Julien Laurens explains why Neymar is constantly linked with Real Madrid so soon after arriving at PSG.

La Liga president Javier Tebas would welcome the return of Neymar to Spain's top flight amid reports that the Brazilian star could depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer to join Real Madrid.

Neymar left Barca after four years to join PSG last summer in a world-record €222 million transfer in August.

Real Madrid have not made any signings in the winter transfer window but are reportedly considering making a move to acquire the 25-year-old forward at the end of the season.

Asked about the importance of Neymar returning to play back in Spain's top flight, Tebas told Cadena Ser radio: "For La Liga, I agree it is [important]. I don't know where he would go. But how am I going to say no?

"One thing is to say that it doesn't affect La Liga so much and the figures are there to prove it and another is to say that I don't want one of the best players. Just as I would love to have [Manchester City manager] Pep Guardiola and [Manchester United manager] Jose Mourinho back coaching in Spain. It's a spectacle to have those two coaches, I would like to have them. But that's not to say that we can't grow the same way without them."

Tebas and La Liga attempted to block Neymar's transfer to PSG, claiming that the French club's bid of €222m (£198m) was in breach of financial fair play (FFP) rules.

In the end, Neymar did move to France and Tebas admitted that while the player's departure had an effect on La Liga, he said it would be a "bigger blow" for Spain's top flight to lose Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Marca led their front page on Jan. 12 with a photograph of Neymar wearing the PSG jersey and with the headline: "'With Neymar in their mind' -- the star that brings the biggest enthusiasm to Real Madrid."

Real are reportedly looking refresh their attacking line-up this summer and with reports stating that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to return to the Premier League, that could open the door for Neymar.

According to Marca, the deal to bring Neymar to Madrid would be a very complex one, with Real having to splash out €400m to land the Brazil international.

However, PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi brushed aside suggestions that Neymar was unhappy in Paris and laughed off the idea he could be sold this summer.

PSG face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Feb. 14.

Adriana Garcia is a Valencia-based football writer who covers La Liga for ESPN FC.

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Source: espn.co.uk

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