Simon Jordan has brutally dismissed the idea that Premier League clubs should look to sign Lionel Messi or Neymar this summer.
The futures of both of the Paris Saint-Germain stars are uncertain, with reports on Tuesday that Messi’s move to Saudi Arabia is a ‘done deal’ and that Neymar wants to leave the French giants.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle have all been linked with moves for the Brazilian forward, though it remains to be seen where he and his PSG team mate will end up this summer.
Speaking on his talkSPORT ‘One 2 One’ show, Jordan has declared that no Premier League clubs would want to sign the pair due to the ‘circus’ that the transfers will bring.
In regards to Messi switching to England, he said: ‘The argument always raised about Messi, ‘could he do it on a wet Tuesday evening against Stoke?’
Simon Jordan has dismissed suggestions that Lionel Messi and Neymar could move to the Premier League with their futures at current side Paris Saint-Germain both uncertain
Jordan insisted that Premier League clubs won’t want the ‘circus’ that comes with both players
‘Well, that is an argument that was raised when he was in his pomp, it’s not going to change now is it? Because he’s a declining force. He’s still a remarkable player.’
He questioned whether the Argentine would stand up to the pace and ferocity of the Premier League despite being a ‘wizard on the ball’.
Jordan added: ‘But I don’t see Messi, A), for the financial constraints, and B), who? Who would want it? Who would want Messi in their side at this stage in his development?’
He said that he can’t see Man City or Liverpool making a move for Messi and that Man United ‘won’t want another prima donna in the building’ following Cristiano Ronaldo’s disastrous second spell at the club.
When speaking about Neymar, he described the Brazilian as a ‘different animal’ who ‘comes with a load of baggage’ as he hasn’t had the success at PSG than many might have imagined.
‘And again it comes down to the same equation, who’d want that aggravation? Who’d want that circus that comes with Neymar?’ Jordan said.
‘Who in their construct would think that Neymar was a useful addition? First of all you’ll have the transfer fee, then you’ll have the ridiculous wages that goes with it. Then you’ll have the entourage and all that goes around him. Does the Premier League need it?’
Jordan went on to add that he ‘doesn’t care’ if they end up in the Premier League, that Messi will ‘collect his bag of money in Saudi Arabia’ and that Neymar will ‘pitch up somewhere significant’ outside the Premier League.
Jordan said Messi (left) is a ‘declining force’ and that clubs wouldn’t want the ‘aggravation’ and ‘baggage’ that comes with Neymar (right)
Messi’s father shut down claims yesterday that his son would sign a massive contract worth £522m at Saudi side Al-Nassr.
Jorge took to social media to say: ‘There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finished the league with PSG.
‘Once the season is over it will be time to analyse and see what is there, and then make a decision. There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season.’
Despite dismissals of claims of a ‘done deal’ to take the Argentine star to Saudi Arabia, French newspaper L’Equipe have detailed how much the ‘exceptional’ offer on the table for Messi is worth.
L’Equipe claim it totals a staggering €1bn over two seasons, with the option of a third.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Messi’s move to Saudi side Al-Hilal is a ‘done deal’ – something which his dad has denied saying that no decision will be taken until the end of the season
There have also been reports that Neymar wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer
If he penned such a monstrous deal, it would be worth double what Cristiano Ronaldo is earning at Saudi side Al-Nassr.
Paris Saint-Germain refused to comment on a deal with the Saudi side and simply reiterated the fact Messi’s contract lasts until June 30 this summer.
It was reported previously that his wife Antonela ‘could not imagine’ moving their family to Saudi Arabia, in what remains a potential stumbling block to the move.
She is reportedly reluctant for the couple, along with their three young sons – Thiago, 10, Mateo, 7, and Ciro, 5 – to relocate to the Middle East and she would prefer to stay in Europe.
It is also said that Messi himself would prefer to stay in Europe, with the star reportedly keeping an eye on the financial situation at former club Barcelona.
Barcelona – where Messi played for most of his legendary career – must find around £175m to be able to register recruited players or players already on the books who they sign to new contract extensions.
