Neymar in talks to join huge European club in controversial transfer that will anger his former side

Neymar is in talks to join a huge European club in a controversial transfer that could spark anger from fans of his former side.

The forward is currently playing for his boyhood club Santos in Brazil but they have only won four of their opening 16 games this season and currently sit in the relegation zone.

The difficult situation has led to growing tensions between Neymar and supporters.

After last week's 2-1 defeat to Internacional, he was seen arguing with a fan in the stands, before he was dragged away by a teammate.

Neymar's struggles in Brazil have fuelled speculation that the 33-year-old may be set to quit Santos and return to Europe.

According to TyC Sports, the favourites to sign him are Marseille, who are - of course - fierce rivals of Neymar's former club PSG.

Marseille and PSG play each other in Le Classique, which is the biggest rivalry in French football between its two most successful clubs.

Although the modern rivalry has been dominated by PSG, if Neymar was to move to south France, it would be a significant source of anger for Parisians.

Neymar would anger PSG fans if he moves to Marseille. (Image: Jean Catuffe / Contributor via Getty)

What has happened in Neymar's career so far?

Back in 2017, the Brazilian left Barcelona and joined PSG for a world-record fee of €222 million (£192 million).

He spent six years in the French capital winning five Ligue 1 titles but he was unable to win the desired Champions League.

Although he was instrumental in PSG's run to the Champions League final in 2020, his injury problems meant he regularly missed crucial knockout games.

In 2023, he joined Saudi side Al Hilal for £77.6 million but it was a total disaster.

He suffered an ACL injury that curtailed the start of his career in the Saudi Pro League and he scored just one goal and secured three assists in seven appearances before having his contract terminated.

Neymar has endured a difficult second spell at Santos. (Image: Ricardo Moreira / Stringer via Getty)

He returned to Brazil in a bid to regain form ahead of next summer's World Cup.

But despite the fanfare which greeted his arrival, it has been difficult for Neymar on the pitch, although Santos recently extended his contract until the end of 2025.

That has not stopped speculation linking him with a move back to France to join Marseille.

After a second-placed Ligue 1 finish last year, they will return to the Champions League, which would offer Neymar a valuable opportunity to prove himself against the world's best.

They are also managed by the highly-rated former Brighton boss Roberto do Zerbi and have several highly-rated players including Mason Greenwood, Adrien Rabiot and Amine Gouiri.

It may prove an attractive option for Neymar ahead of next summer's World Cup.