NYCFC sporting director David Lee gives verdict on Neymar rumors

Brazilian star Neymar has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and several Major League Soccer sides have been rumored to be interested in his services.

Although the league's secondary transfer window closed on August 2, teams can still sign free agents. Neymar and PSG are reportedly working towards a mutual termination of his contract so that he can leave the French capital and join a new club on a free transfer.

It seems as if everything is pointing to Neymar following in Lionel Messi's footsteps by leaving PSG to make a big move to MLS - but there's a catch.

If NYCFC, for example, want to sign Neymar, he'd have to be in their squad no later than September 13, as that is the league's Roster Freeze deadline before the playoffs commence in the weeks after that. Clubs can only sign free agents until that point, or Neymar would have to join as a contracted player from PSG in the winter transfer window.

The former Barcelona showman has been linked with LA Galaxy, LAFC, and NYCFC in the past week and even has offers from several clubs, and Blues sporting director cleared the air amidst the rumors surrounding Neymar.

"That rules out any player who's under contract to any other club, whether it be Neymar or anybody else. For right now, that's simple," said Lee.

"Ultimately it's not something that's entertained or discussed right now, but if those opportunities were to exist for him or any other big-name player that we think can add on the pitch and off it, then we'll discuss and see if that can make sense for us and if we can make it work for the player, for their family, for us as a club. We'll always look at those opportunities," he added.

What teams might be in the mix for the skilled attacker? Other than NYCFC, it would make plenty of sense for Neymar to sign for either of the Los Angeles based clubs.

If Carlos Vela is to leave LAFC after this season, Neymar would be huge signing to pair up with Denis Bouanga in the Black and Gold's attack. The same can be said for the Galaxy, as Neymar could link up with Riqui Puig and Chicharito (when he returns from his ACL injury) to help bring the Gs back to the forefront of MLS.

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