The Neymar Dilemma: Brazilian Star Imagines Potential Future with Bayern Munich

Neymar of Brazil-Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The issue of Neymar’s future is a complicated one. The 21-year-old Brazilian is one of the most sought-after talents on the planet, linked to the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, and Real Madrid for the past three years.

Now, there’s a new competitor in the race for the signature of Neymar: Bayern Munich.

Not a particularly new link to the flamboyant Brazilian, as he has been somewhat linked to the future club of former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola. Since it was announced that Guardiola would take the reins of the twenty-two-time German league champions back in January, there has been a lot of excitement and anticipation as to what the world-renowned coach might do to make a splash.

With the likes of Badstuber, Ribery, Robben, Muller and others lacing a strong side, Guardiola will already have a strong side to work with as a foundation for whatever plans he has in store.

A move for the Brazilian phenom could be a big statement for Guardiola, stating his intentions for the club moving forward.

Neymar certainly seems interested now, despite the fact that Sky Sports reported two weeks ago that he had sworn allegiance to his current club, Santos, yet again.

According to ESPN.co.uk, when speaking to German paper SID, Neymar spoke about his interest in the Bundesliga and how he could “imagine” playing for the current league leaders:

“All leagues are interesting in the end, including the Bundesliga. Bayern are a big club with extraordinary players. Playing for Bayern is something I could imagine doing. There is nothing that speaks against this.”

The young Brazilian even spoke about his admiration for German international Bastein Schweinsteiger:

“[Bastian] Schweinsteiger is one of the best players I have ever seen. It is the basics that make him strong: his positioning, his passing and his presence on the field.”

With Barcelona and Real Madrid clamoring for Neymar’s signature, being the overwhelming favorites for his potential landing points in Europe, Neymar didn’t rule out a move outside of Spain, noting that his comfort level is his main concern:

“I dreamed to play in Europe since I was a child, but it is important I feel good and adapt with the rest of the team. [The transfer] doesn’t have to be Spain necessarily.”

Santos are unlikely to let go of the Brazilian international before Brazil hosts the World Cup next year, with Santos president, Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro reiterating this fact:

“I anticipate my answer to any bids that might come: the answer is no,” he said. “Neymar will stay at Santos until 2014, and I hope that he’ll continue here for even longer.

“I have a very clear basis for Neymar staying here, resisting offers from the Spanish clubs [Barcelona and Real Madrid, in 2011], for one basic reason: he’s happy.