Transfer Centre

Real Madrid eye Neymar as Cristiano Ronaldo replacement?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 07 November 2017

Real Madrid are reportedly desperate to sign PSG and former Barcelona winger Neymar as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid have reportedly identified Paris Saint-Germain winger Neymar as the long-term successor to Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.

Neymar only joined PSG during the summer transfer window, signing from Madrid's bitter rivals Barcelona in a £200m deal which obliterated the previous world record for the most expensive transfer.

However, reports have suggested that the Brazilian already regrets the move, with Neymar having been rumoured to have fallen out with teammate Edinson Cavani and manager Unai Emery since his switch to the French capital.

Madrid were interested in signing Neymar before he joined Barcelona in 2013 and are now determined to secure his signature as a replacement for Ronaldo, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Ronaldo has scored a club-record 414 goals in just 407 appearances since joining Madrid in 2009, but he is now 32 years of age and has found the back of the net just once in seven La Liga outings this season.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner's form has convinced Los Blancos to look for a player capable of filling the void that will be left once he does eventually leave or retire, and Neymar is understood to be their number one choice.