Manchester United reportedly willing to pay Neymar’s €200 million buyout clause

One year after breaking the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba, Manchester United appears willing to shatter that record a second time. According to top Catalan paper Sport, United has told Neymar’s representatives that they’re willing to pay Barcelona his full €200 million buyout to sign him.

Of course, this isn’t as simple as pay buyout, get player. Barca can haggle over taxes and other regulations if they don’t want to sell Neymar, forcing United to pay more than €200 million and to pay all the money up front, if they feel like being difficult.

And then there are Neymar’s feelings about the deal. “Neymar remains to be convinced,” writes Rik Sharma at Sport. “He is happy at Barcelona and doubts whether he should leave.”

United might have the cash to sign the biggest names in soccer, but getting them to actually sign is another thing. And if they miss out on the Champions League this season, they’ll find it very difficult to attract another player of Pogba’s caliber.

Jamie Vardy’s for England, but mainly for the Adam Lallana assist. (r/soccer)

Four USMNT players have been sent home ill or injured, while Paul Arriola has joined the team. (Stars and Stripes FC)

The Netherlands have fired Danny Blind after the team’s loss to Bulgaria. (KNVB)

Seamus Coleman has undergone surgery for a broken leg sustained against Wales. (Royal Blue Mersey)

Cristiano Ronaldo made more money than Lionel Messi last year. (AS)

For all the negative things about Jurgen Klinsmann, he was a good scout and recruiter. Bobby Wood says Klinsmann saved his career. (ESPN FC)

James Rodriguez might be in trouble after he flipped off the media in Colombia. (Mirror)

Cameron Wilson on China’s struggles to build a challenger in Asia. (Guardian)

Ben Torvaney asks if Arsenal have been unlucky to not win a Premier League title in the last decade. (Stats Bomb)

Jozef Brodala on the young Swedes coming through the ranks post-Ibrahimovic retirement. (These Football Times)

Christian Pulisic lived up to the hype for the USMNT, and should now be considered the team’s best player.

Mexico had no problem beating Costa Rica at Azteca. (FMF State of Mind)

A big factor in Danny Blind’s sacking was his decision to start 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, who has just 13 games of first-team experience. He made errors on both Bulgaria goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 70th goal for Portugal, which puts him third all time among Europeans.

Tyler Adams made his first start of the season for New York Red Bulls and proved why he’s a top USMNT prospect.

England’s surprise star was Jermain Defoe. (Guardian)