Thiago Silva is not prepared to discuss the possibility of his Brazil team-mate Neymar joining Paris Saint-Germain in a reported €222million switch until after Saturday’s showdown with Monaco.
Barcelona striker Neymar has been linked with a potential world-record transfer to ambitious PSG, where he would be reunited with Selecao defender Silva, among other Brazilians.
The capital club have kept their counsel but, ahead of the Trophee des Champions meeting with Ligue 1 winners Monaco in Morocco, Silva said the time to talk about any deal might come “soon”.
Quoted in Le Parisien, he said of Neymar: “I play with him in the national team. But this is not the time to talk about him, the priority is tomorrow’s match. After the game, we can talk more about it.
“He’s my friend, we’ve been playing together for seven years. We have a very honest relationship.
“But we will have to wait. Soon everybody will be talking about it.”
We see you liking a post of Neymar in a PSG shirt, Thiago Silva 👀👀👀👀👀
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 20, 2017
(h/t @Esp_Interativo) pic.twitter.com/dxsb8MHqfu
Of the pre-season encounter with Monaco, who in May ended PSG’s run of four straight titles, Silva said: “It will be an interesting game, especially considering that they won the last championship.
“This will be an important match – 50 per cent for us and the same for them. We have a lot of respect for them but now this is a new season and we’re getting back to work again.”
Silva got the better of Monaco’s breakthrough teenager Kylian Mbappe – himself linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid this summer – in April’s Coupe de la Ligue final, which PSG won 4-1.
The former AC Milan centre-back added: “When you go up against players with that much quality, you have to work very hard mentally.
“I have good memories of that final, I was very good as were our whole team. I hope that will be the same tomorrow.
“We know it’s going to be very hot but we will do everything we can to bring home this trophy.”
Radamel Falcao is one of the few Monaco stars to have remained with the principality outfit following their first title-winning season in 17 years, with the likes of Bernardo
Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy all moving to the Premier League in the transfer window.
Sky Italy: Meeting today between agent Jorge Mendes & AC Milan directors to discuss transfers of Diego Costa, Renato Sanches, Radamel Falcao
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 25, 2017
The Colombian hitman therefore represented the club at the pre-match press conference, speaking of the domestic rivals’ shared ambition to conquer this overseas challenge.
“Paris and Monaco are two great teams,” said Falcao. “They both want to win this prize.
“We are out here to take this match seriously and there can be no favourite. Everyone wants to play well and try to take the cup back to France.”
Provided by Press Association Sport
