Neymar and Nike Reportedly Looking for Real Madrid Move Before World Cup

Recent reports have surfaced claiming famed Brazilian striker Neymar Jr. is looking to secure a move from his current club Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and kit manufacturers Nike could be playing a big role in the deal.

Sport is reporting Neymar’s father — who is also his agent — has already met with Real ahead of a potential €400 million EUR (approximately $500 million USD) move. Also reported by AS, Nike could capitalize on Real’s failure to agree a new sponsorship deal with adidas and in doing so play a “highly instrumental” role in financing part of the transfer. Currently Real Madrid and adidas are partners with two years left on the deal. However, many have speculated that Nike is attempting to take over that partnership.

Currently Nike star athlete Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Real, so getting both players on the same club in Nike-sponsored uniforms would be a big win for the Swoosh. Neymar, 26, signed with Les Parisiens for €198 million EUR (approximately $246 million USD) in 2017. He’s under contract through 2022.

Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane has been asked about the possibility of Neymar arriving, per ESPN FC‘s Adriana Garcia:
“They [PSG] paid €222 million, that’s what it is,” Zidane added. “When I was bought [by Real Madrid] they paid €72 million or something like that and I thought it was crazy. Ten years later it’s €222 million…in 10 years’ time or even earlier than that, they might spend €400 million.”

Let us know if you’d like to see Neymar make the big move below. With the World Cup on its way, the official 2018 FIFA anthem has been released.

Buenos días, aquí tenéis la #PortadaAS del 13 de marzo de 2018 pic.twitter.com/pSHwRgH3jK

— AS (@diarioas) March 13, 2018

Is Zinedine Zidane hinting at something? He's said that Neymar "would fit in at every club" amid speculation of a move: https://t.co/yks0oHDoz4 pic.twitter.com/LCAAVyB03E

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 9, 2018