Neymar 'negotiating' shock Marseille transfer after row with Santos fan as Brazil star tipped for Mason Greenwood link-up

Brazil international Neymar only returned to his roots at Santos in January after seeing a lucrative contract in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal terminated. He has since extended his stay through to the end of the calendar year.

Said terms may not be seen out, with Neymar enduring a tough time in his homeland. Injuries have remained an unfortunate theme, forcing him to miss 11 matches, with Santos tumbling out of domestic cup competitions while slipping into the Brasileirao relegation zone.

Neymar was involved in an angry exchange with a fan during a disappointing defeat to Internacional, with the 33-year-old accusing the supporter in question of disrespecting his family while calling his commitment into question.

Santos fans subsequently released a statement that read: “We had a regrettable episode that demonstrates the lack of understanding of some people who represent Santos. We address, first, our idol Neymar. Idol, yes. The idol is you and we ask you to act as such. You said you felt offended by hearing a fan yell at you that you and your family are mercenaries, and you responded that you could be earning much more money elsewhere, something we know.

“Imagine an exhausted fan, with years of accumulated impotence, seeing his apathetic team, losing at home again and in the relegation zone, having the chance to look his idol in the eyes and implore him to get that unstable squad playing. Wouldn't you do it?”

While said incident is being played down, TyC Sports are among those to report that Neymar is once again attracting interest from Europe and may be tempted to take on another new challenge ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

It is claimed that Ligue 1 outfit Marseille - who already have ex-Manchester United forward Greenwood on their books - are keen on Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 'negotiations' already underway. Any move there would allow Neymar to grace the Champions League again, but would spark some controversy given that he previously took in 173 appearances for Marseille’s arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain.