Nike is reportedly willing to "finance part of a trade" of Neymar from Paris St. Germain to Real Madrid "as a strategic move to later reach a deal with the Spanish club and sponsor its shirt," according to Manu Sainz of AS. After Cristiano Ronaldo, "Neymar is the brand's top ambassador." Real Madrid "continues to lead the world in followers," but of the "top clubs," it receives the least money for its shirt sponsorship. The club's deal with adidas will run through '20 and pay it €40M ($49.6M) per season. It was reported last May by Football Leaks that adidas and Real Madrid were renegotiating the contract, with adidas offering the club €1B ($1.24B) over 10 years. The €400M ($496M) fee that Neymar's father said PSG's owners would request to release the player "does not seem as unlikely if Nike is behind the move" (AS, 3/13).
MESSI ON THE MOVE?: AS reported Lionel Messi's release clause at Barcelona is €700M ($868M), "a figure that was considered unpayable" until recently. Barcelona is "now looking at four possible rivals that could break the market" to acquire Messi. PSG "would be the first candidate," while the other teams "economically capable of such a move" are Chelsea, ManU and Man City (AS, 3/13). The DPA reported Man City CEO Ferran Soriano said that "there is no chance" his club could could sign Messi. Soriano: "I know Leo and his family well and I know they are good in Barcelona, which is where he has to be. We will continue on our path without him, which will be difficult because he is the best player in the history of football" (DPA, 3/13).
