Real shock

> Madrid ready to splash over RM1 billion for ex-Barcelona star Neymar <

REAL MADRID are preparing to raid Paris Saint-Germain for star winger Neymar.

According to reports, Los Blancos have set aside £200 million (RM1.1b) to bring in a highprofile signing next summer.

Madrid’s last Galactico signing was Gareth Bale four years ago and supporters have since grown restless over the lack of super-star additions.

Neymar only joined the French outfit in the summer, where he cost a world-record £198 million (RM1.09b). But Madrid would be willing to go one better if the Brazilian wishes to return to La Liga.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Real have been alerted that Neymar is unhappy in the French capital.

The winger had a huge fallout with teammate Edinson Cavani earlier in the season after they clashed over taking a penalty.

Zinedine Zidane will bide his time in the January window and wait for the summer to rebuild his squad.

However, former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have apparently advised him against a move to the Bernabeu because he would be labelled traitor by the Catalan fans.

The 25-year-old has continued his stunning form this season and aims to help PSG win the Champions League.

He has scored 11 goals in 12 games since moving to the Parc des Princes.

But it has been suggested the Brazil international is unhappy with life in the French capital, specifically working under Unai Emery.

The 25-year-old was in tears at a press conference last week while on international duty with Brazil, insisting the stories are not true.

He said: “I want to ask you to stop creating stories which are not true. I want to say what I think.

“I’m totally realistic and what I don’t like is these false stories about me, there is nothing bothering me at my club.

“I’m here because I asked to be here. It’s going really well (in Paris), I’m really happy here and motivated. I’m a player who wants to give everything on the pitch.”

Messi has reportedly been on the phone to his friend to warn against a potential backlash should he make the switch to their La Liga rivals.

According to Don Balon, Messi doesn’t expect Neymar to remain at Paris Saint-Germain for long and has personally contacted the forward regarding rumours linking him with Madrid.

But Neymar has recently insisted the row with Cavani was blown out of proportion and has no issues with anybody at his current club. “I have no problem with PSG, what bothers me is the pressure of the press,” he said. “I’m a guy who likes to win, I like titles and I went to PSG for this. I’m happy. I was happy when I left Barcelona and I’m happy now.” However, teammate Marquinhos, who also plays with the former Barcelona forward at international level, let slip in a press conference last week that Neymar is still “adapting” to his new surroundings. And when asked whether Real Madrid would reignite their interest in the player with whom they’ve twice held discussions over a move, Sergio Ramos was very open about his desire to play alongside the player that used to terrorise him.

“I would sign him without any doubt, he is a different player that changes games.

“I like to have the best players, and Neymar is one of them,” Ramos said. – Express Sport