Chelsea report: Blues dealt blow as transfer target wants to stay put

Neymar
(Image credit: PA)

Chelsea transfer target Neymar does not want to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to reports.

The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes since the end of last season.

Neymar, who joined the French club from Barcelona for a world-record fee in 2017, has not lived up to expectations.

PSG have failed to win the Champions League since his arrival, and while that is not entirely Neymar's fault, many supporters have been disappointed with his contributions.

The Ligue 1 champions have let it be known that they are open to offers for Neymar, and Chelsea were previously mulling over a bid.

Neymar

(Image credit: Getty)

However, the issue is complicated by the fact that Neymar's contract was automatically extended to 2027 at the start of this month.

And a report by Goal states that the forward wishes to remain at PSG.

The 30-year-old is focused on the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and believes a transfer at this point would be a distraction.

Meanwhile Chelsea appear to have cooled their interest in Neymar after completing a deal to sign Raheem Sterling.

Thomas Tuchel is now looking to strengthen his side's defence ahead of the new Premier League season.

Thomas Tuchel

(Image credit: Getty)

"I would not rule it out [signing another attacker] but right now it is not the priority," the German said.

"The priority right now is defence, it's not a secret. From there we need to see what's possible.

"We're competing against the two top teams [Liverpool and Manchester City] but Tottenham did a very active and aggressive and early transfer period, they have maybe the strongest squad they ever had with one of the best coaches in the world, Man United are never shy of recruiting with a new coach and Arsenal had some big signings already, so we need to keep the level up to be competitive."

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).