Ex-Arsenal man Julio Baptista has claimed that a move for Paris Saint Germain star Neymar could be the key to Arsenal beating Manchester City to the Premier League title after falling just short last season.
The Brazilian spent one year on loan with Arsenal from Real Madrid, during which time he appeared 35 times and managed to find the net 10 times.
Quizzed on his compatriot, the 41-year-old admitted that Neymar didn’t look happy at PSG and that a new start could be ideal, before namedropping Arsenal as a potential destination.
Speaking to Goal.com, Baptista claimed that a move for Neymar could well be the final piece of the puzzle for Mikel Arteta’s side.
“I think Neymar is comfortable at PSG, but maybe the best move for him is to create a new atmosphere at a new club – maybe a club that supports him and gives him all the confidence that he needs. He doesn’t have that at PSG. The fans don’t like him a lot and maybe it is time to move on and try something different”, he began.
Arsènal is one of the best clubs in Europe. We know that the last eight or so years, Arsènal have not produced their best or been as competitive. But now, with Arteta, Arsènal have something different. They have started to construct something powerful.
Neymar is thought to be available this summer should a side be willing to match his massive wages, with the Brazilian under contract until 2025 at the Parc des Princes.
He has served the French side well, scoring 118 goals and grabbing 77 assists in 178 outings for the club, while he has also been nominated for the Ballon D’or on several occasions, though he has never won the award.
Arsenal have already spent over £200m this summer, signing Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz ahead of the new season, and are set to focus on sales for the coming weeks after Arteta labelled his squad ‘unsustainable’ at present.
