Neymar 222 million euro deal ‘not expensive’, says Mourinho

DUBLIN: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said Wednesday he does not believe the record-shattering 222 million euro ($260 million) transfer fee Paris St Germain are willing to pay for Neymar is expensive.

But the Reds boss, speaking after his side beat Sampdoria 2-1 in Dublin in a pre-season friendly, is concerned how the staggering figure will affect future transfers.

Mourinho shelled out 105.2 million euros ($111 million) last summer to re-sign their former midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus, but the French outfit are poised to double that record to tempt the Brazilian from Barcelona.

“When we signed Paul Pogba, I said he was not expensive,” Mourinho said.

“Expensive are the ones that get to a certain level without a certain quality. I don’t think £200 million for Neymar is expensive.

“Expensive is the fact there will now be more players at £100m, more players at £50m, more players at £60m -- that’s the problem.

“Neymar is one of the best players in the world, so commercially that is very strong but the problem is not Neymar -- the problem is the consequences.”

Mourinho was speaking after a late Juan Mata goal gave his United team victory in their final preseason game, after a Dennis Praet strike had cancelled out Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first half goal.

The win puts United in a confident mood ahead of next Tuesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Real Madrid in Macedonia. - AFP