Mauricio Pochettino ‘does not want Chelsea to sign Neymar’ after striker hands in PSG transfer request
CHELSEA have ruled out a move for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, according to reports.
The Brazilian, 31, recently submitted a transfer request as he looks for a way out of the French capital this summer.
But Mauricio Pochettino has already had his say on the former Barcelona man.
The ex-Tottenham boss, 51, coached Neymar during his 18-month stint as PSG boss.
Yet despite their history, the are reporting he is not interested in a reunion with the South American icon.
Neymar is thought to be on the market for a fee in the region of £60-70m - with the star's preference being a return to Barcelona.
He is under contract with the Ligue 1 champions until 2025.
PSG are paying Neymar a lucrative £600,000-a-week and bringing him to Stamford Bridge is not thought to be financially viable.
Chelsea are also concerned he is not "the right profile of player for the culture and style of football" that Pochettino is envisaging.
The Argentine manager's transfer strategy is aimed at bringing in young players rather than big marquee names.
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Pochettino is working with Chelsea directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley to identify potential targets.
They have already brought in Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Lesley Ugochukwu, Nicolas Jackson, Robert Sanchez and Angelo during the summer window.
And the Blues have also offloaded a host of players including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Pochettino's first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea comes at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
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