Neymar Demands Unreasonable Terms for Termination of Contract; White Turban Outraged
Attention to the Winter Transfer Window Dynamics: Manchester City announces their first signing, an Asian central defender joins; Neymar seeks to terminate his contract with Al Nassr and demands the remaining $65 million in wages; Chelsea signs 19-year-old defender Sarr; Manchester United loans out Antony.
Official: Manchester City Signs Kusaynov
Manchester City officially announces their first signing of the winter window, Uzbekistan central defender Abdulkadir Kusaynov has joined the club. The two parties have signed a contract for four and a half years, and the player will wear the number 45 jersey.
According to media reports, Kusaynov's transfer fee is 40 million euros plus a 10 million euro variable bonus, totaling 50 million euros. According to Transfermarkt's official Twitter statistics, Kusaynov's transfer fee ranks second among Asian players, only behind Kim Min-jae who transferred from Napoli to Bayern Munich last season.
Lorient signed Kusaynov for 450,000 euros in the summer of 2023, and after a year and a half, they sold him at nearly a hundred times the price, making a huge profit. This transaction also ties Lorient's record for the highest sale price of a player in their history.
Neymar Wants Freedom and Full Salary
Brazilian media "Globo Esporte" reported that Neymar hopes Al Nassr will terminate his contract and pay the remaining $65 million in salary as stipulated in the contract.
In the summer of 2023, Al Nassr signed Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract with an annual salary of 100 million euros. However, after joining for a year and a half, Neymar has spent almost all his time on the sickbed, only playing 7 games, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists, with insignificant contributions.
Neymar's casual attitude off the field and his unprofessional behavior during injury recovery have also made the Al Nassr management very unhappy. Previously, Al Nassr confirmed that Neymar would not be registered to participate in the Saudi league in the second half of the season, and if he stays with the team, he can only play in the AFC Champions League Elite League.
Al Nassr originally had an automatic one-year renewal option for Neymar, but they have decided not to trigger it and have listed Neymar on the transfer list, allowing him to leave for free in the winter or summer window.
"Globo Esporte" stated that Santos, Neymar's mother team, hopes to sign the player back and is optimistic about reaching a deal. This week will be decisive, as Neymar hopes to terminate his contract with Al Nassr and then sign a six-month contract with Santos as a free agent. Negotiations are underway, but it will not be easy to reach an agreement.
Neymar still has half a year left on his contract with Al Nassr, with a salary of $65 million. Although Neymar wants to terminate the contract, he is unwilling to give up economic interests and wants to receive this part of the salary, which has sparked fierce criticism from netizens. Just taking money without doing anything, isn't that too much, Neymar? In comparison, there is a world of difference between him and the 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
£1 Million Loan + £4 Million Buyout, Walker Joins Milan
"The Milan News" reported that Manchester City captain Kyle Walker will join AC Milan on a loan fee of 1 million euros, with a buyout fee of 4 million euros.
Walker will join Milan on a loan-to-buy basis, with an optional buyout clause worth 4 million euros. If Milan activates this clause, Walker will sign a contract until 2027 with an annual salary of 4 million euros.
Walker is getting closer and closer to joining Milan. The talks between Milan, the player, and Manchester City have entered the final stage, and everything will be finalized before Wednesday. Journalist Fabrizio Romano said that Walker will watch the Milan vs Girona Champions League match at San Siro on Wednesday night to support his new teammates.
Here We Go! Chelsea Signs 19-Year-Old Defender Sarr
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Chelsea has signed 19-year-old Strasbourg central defender Mamadou Sarr for a transfer fee of 15 million euros.
Chelsea has agreed to sign Mamadou Sarr, and the deal is here we go! The 19-year-old Sarr will join the Blues in the 2025-26 season, with Chelsea paying a transfer fee of 15 million euros to Strasbourg. Sarr will remain at Strasbourg until June and then join at the beginning of next season.
Mamadou Sarr is currently 19 years old. He has played 14 games for Strasbourg this season, providing 1 assist, with a total playing time of 1198 minutes, and a market value of 8 million euros according to Transfermarkt.
Here We Go! Antony Loans to Betis
Fabrizio Romano posted to confirm that Manchester United's 100 million winger Antony has joined La Liga side Real Betis on loan, with no buyout clause included, for a period of half a season.
Romano wrote: "Antony joins Real Betis, here we go! An oral agreement has been reached between all parties. The transfer documents are being checked, followed by the determination of the medical examination time. The loan does not include a buyout clause, and he will return to Manchester United at the end of the season."
Antony's weekly salary at Manchester United is 200,000 pounds, and Manchester United and Betis will share Antony's salary. Spanish media ABC reported that Manchester United has stipulated in the loan terms that if Antony does not reach a certain number of appearances, Betis will pay Manchester United financial compensation.