Ernesto Valverde: 'Neymar to Real Madrid could happen'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 January 2018

Valverde: 'Neymar to Madrid could happen'

Ernesto Valverde says that it is entirely possible former Barcelona forward Neymar could join Real Madrid, a year on from quitting Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has admitted that he would not be surprised if Neymar swaps Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The Brazilian forward only left Camp Nou for the French capital in August, becoming the world's most expensive player in the process after his release clause was triggered.

Speculation regarding the 25-year-old's next career move has gathered pace in recent weeks, though, with suggestions that Madrid are ready to pounce as early as this summer.

Despite the intensity of the El Clasico rivalry, Valverde acknowledges that anything is possible in the world of football.

"Who knows what can happen," he told reporters when probed on the topic. "But if there's a world where strange things can happen, it's the football world. But that's not something I'm worried about. I've enough to worry about here at Barca."

Neymar scored two more goals against Montpellier on Saturday afternoon to take his tally to 17 in 16 Ligue outings this term.