Neymar wants to earn more than Messi at Miami: see his extraordinary demands

The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Inter Miami, but reports suggest he wants to be the club's highest earner.

It seems increasingly likely that Neymar will soon change the shirt he wears on the football pitch, leaving Saudi Arabian football behind to pursue the 'American dream' and join the MLS. However, the big question remains: which club will manage to secure the Brazilian star?

Recent reports suggest that Neymar and his team are already in talks with three MLS clubs, including Inter Miami and, surprisingly, the Chicago Fire, who have expressed interest in signing the Brazilian forward in what would be a sensational coup for the Gregg Berhalter's team.

For the time being, no concrete steps have been taken towards Neymar's transition to American football. However, on Thursday L'Équipe revealed new details about Neymar and his entourage's desire to leave Al Hilal. Despite their interest, the conditions for a possible transfer appear challenging to meet.

According to the French newspaper, Neymar's father had already met with MLS executives six months before the expiration of Neymar's contract with Al Hilal to explore possible deals for a transfer.

How much does Lionel Messi earn at Inter Miami?

One of the main conditions that Neymar's camp set during these talks is the salary, which seems to be a decisive factor in moving the negotiations forward.

According to the information, Neymar is aiming for a salary higher than that of Lionel Messi; according to the MLSPA, he makes $20.4 million annually at Inter Miami.

While it is not known exactly how much Neymar would earn if he were to move to the MLS, it is certain that finding enough wiggle room to afford such a high wage would prevent him from signing on the dotted line at this point. The next highest earner at the club is Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets, who earns just under $9 million per year. Suárez and Jordi Alba, the other half of the club's superstar quartet, earn $1.5 million per campaign.

MLS seems committed to their position of not allowing a free market, and for now Neymar and his representatives can only hope they find a way to make room on the books. Then there's the question of whether paying such a high wage is worth the impact the 32-year-old – who is yet to play this season due to several injuries – will make. But that's a debate for another day.