Neymar convinced PSG have a better chance of winning Champions League than Barcelona

With four goals in four games – as well as four assists to his name – Neymar has certainly lit up Ligue 1 in some style since his shock £198m switch to PSG from Barcelona.

Many believed the release clause would simply put paid to any possible deal, but the financial clout of the French side – backed by Qatari money – made the move a reality.

Some will have raised their eyebrows regarding the Brazilian’s ambition, moving from one of the most successful clubs in recent times to one that has only enjoyed domestic success and has yet to come to life on the European stage.

However, Neymar has since revealed that he believes Paris Saint Germain have a better chance of winning the 2017/18 Champions’ League than his former employers.

“One of my biggest reasons for joining PSG was to help the club write history,” Neymar is quoted as saying in The Sun.

“Not only do we have the quality but we have the experience – the players who know what it takes to win the Champions’ League.”

To some extent, PSG’s new front-three forward line does have the potential to rival Barcelona’s attack of last season. Neymar, Edison Cavani and on-loan Monaco hot-shot Kylian Mbappe are a potentially devastating trio and are already destroying modest Ligue 1 sides with ease; most recently away to Metz.

Weakening Monaco’s strikeforce by capturing Mbappe has all but secured the Ligue 1 17/18 title before we’ve even reached the winter, but it’s in Europe where PSG must start to make inroads if they are to be considered a major continental force.

PSG begin their Champions League group stage campaign with a trip to Glasgow Celtic. Celtic Park has been the scene of many an exciting underdog victory for Celtic – including Neymar’s former employers Barcelona – and if Unai Emery’s men can come through this first test unscathed they may be considered genuine contenders for this year’s European crown.

Both Manchester clubs, City and United, were reportedly keen to take Neymar from Barcelona, but were somewhat gazumped by PSG and their multi-billionaire owners. It will certainly be interesting to see if Neymar grows bored of Ligue 1, given that Paris have an undoubted monopoly over the rest of the division at present.

A switch to the Premier League would seem like a realistic move in the medium term, particularly if Neymar is able to help PSG realise their ambition of becoming European champions for the first time.

Which Manchester side would be able to afford him is a difficult question. City would almost certainly be able to stump up the cash, while United may also be capable if they deemed it a sound commercial decision. The two Manchester rivals look like battling it out for the Premier League 17/18 title too this term, with the Premier League betting already having Man City as 5/4 favourites. Meanwhile, United are rated second favourites at 11/4, with a stuttering Chelsea already drifting at 9/2.

Neymar seems like a player who knows his own mind. His proximity to England and Premier League football will almost certainly lead him to take more of an interest in the sides dominating the league in the coming years, as it’s almost certain that the Brazilian won’t stay in the French capital for the rest of his career.

Sources: thesun.co.uk / telegraph.co.uk