Real continue to court Neymar

It certainly was not the first time that a player from Real Madrid spoke about Neymar moving from the Parc des Princes to the Santiago Bernabeu, but on the day of the Champions League draw yesterday, three different Real Madrid players spoke about welcoming the Brazilian superstar to Real Madrid.

The most expensive player in the world made the switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain just this past season, but rumours have been swirling around Europe and South America about the Brazilians desire to leave.

While it seems almost certain that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi will not let his team's crown jewel go anywhere, especially after signing him to a five-year contract, if Neymar's desire is to leave, then he has shown before that he is capable of forcing the move.

Three Real players, Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Dani Carvajal were interviewed by three different outlets and the only thing in common was that all three believed Neymar would be a perfect fit with Los Blancos.

ASK PEREZ, SAY CASEMIRO AND EMERY

Brazilian Casemiro, who has been friends with his countryman since he was 11 years old, said that he knew Neymar was happy at PSG, but reiterated that the doors were always open for a move to the Bernabeu. 

He also advised the media to ask Real Madrid Florentino Perez about any purported move, a recurring theme yesterday: "He is happy there. You'd have to ask Florentino, but he likes Paris, where there are several Brazilians playing with him. He says you have to stay calm, If you ask me what the club [Real Madrid] is like, I'd say it is the biggest in the world, the best, but I'm not going to speak for him. He knows that Madrid's doors are always open. He is a happy, cheerful player, the same on and off the pitch."

The Brazilian said that he hoped Neymar would come at the end of the season, hinting that talisman Cristiano Ronaldo would also welcome the move.

"He would get along very well with Cristiano; hopefully he comes this year."

Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery was also bombarded with questions about Neymar ahead at a press conference on Friday of the Ligue 1 holders' match against Nice. 

When one reporter asked the Spanish coach for his opinion on a rumoured meeting between Neymar Sr. and Perez, Emery responded with a wry smile: "I don't know about that, ask Florentino."

The 46-year-old was also getting more and more annoyed by the insinuations as he added: "I think I already answered 30 times at the press conference. I believe the PSG project is very solid with Neymar inside it -- subject closed."

VARANE, CARVAJAL WELCOMING

Varane was more coy on the subject, but also said that he would welcome the Brazilian.

"A player with this talent... It's hard to say that it wouldn't be good for my team. Everybody knows he has an abundance of talent. But I'm not going to talk about players who are not in my team and I have no idea what he's going to do. It's up to the club, everybody knows he's a very talented player. I can't say anything..."

In the case of Carvajal, the right-back did not expand too much when asked if he'd prefer Neymar or Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann to join. However, the Spaniard admitted that they were both extremely good but was also clear about his choice: "It's difficult... but I would sign Neymar".