Arsenal given Neymar transfer encouragement as blockbuster summer signing 'not impossible'

Arsenal invincible Gilberto Silva has encouraged his former team to make a move for Neymar this summer, despite the Brazilian superstar recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which is expected to keep him out until September.

Neymar joined Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal just over a year ago, but made only three appearances before suffering a knee injury that would sideline him for the remainder of the campaign.

And Silva has tipped Neymar to make a sharp exit from the Middle East to the Premier League, where he concedes that a transfer to Arsenal is “not impossible” in the near future.

“I’d love to see Neymar in the Premier League with Arsenal,” Silva told Bet365’s Copa America coverage. “It would be interesting that’s for sure. It would bring a lot of joy to fans and make the competition even more special.

“When you look at the Premier League, we want to see the best players in the world and to have him around would be great. Let’s see. It’s not impossible that he could join Arsenal, why not.”

Neymar became the Saudi top-flight’s most expensive player when he joined from Paris Saint-Germain for £76million, as Al-Hilal would hope to recoup a significant portion of their initial outlay.

And Silva is of the opinion that many in Brazil are disappointed with Neymar’s decision to join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in Saudi, and does not rule out a transfer before the 2026 World Cup.

“When Neymar decided to go to Saudi Arabia, the view from many Brazilians was not the best regarding the level of competition,” Silva added.

“It was a decision that he made and hopefully this doesn’t impact his performances. It’s tough, especially now because he got injured and then he can’t do anything. However, you could be in Europe and get injured and then have to recover as well.

“I do believe Neymar. I do believe he has the potential to hit back against the negativity around him because in my opinion he’s still the best Brazilian player at the moment. He has ability that not many players in the world have.

“It’s just about him getting back to fitness, recovering properly and focusing on what he has to do. I’m in full support of him, even though he may not have the same level of competition when compared to European football, he understands the level he needs to be in order to perform well in the next World Cup.

“Let’s see what can happen, there are still two years left and many things can change, maybe even a transfer. If that happens or not, I’m sure he’s going to be fully focused and fully committed to help Brazil in the next competition.”