Mourinho: Neymar's move changed the market

Expressed concern to the 'Times'

Posted Thursday, September 07, 2017 by Marca.com

Neymar's move to Paris Saint Germain broke Paul Pogba's record transfer to Manchester United, and the Red Devils' coach Jose Mourinho claimed that the Brazilian's deal has altered the market forever.

The Portuguese tactician insisted that his team acted fast in the transfer window, signing Romelu Lukaku before the Neymar move.

Had it been after, such an acquisition could've cost them several more millions following the 222 million euros spent for the former Barcelona forward.

"I think Lukaku on August 31 would have been 150 million pounds and [Nemanja] Matic would have been 60m or 70m," he told the Times.

"If the biggest transfer in history had still been Paul Pogba, I think Philippe Coutinho would now be in Barcelona at 101m.

"Neymar changed everything."

Being accused several times for continuously changing teams, Mourinho defended himself by stating that he always has a long-term plan for his clubs.

"I don't think I'm a short-term coach," he noted.

"I think I prepare the clubs so that when I leave, the coach who comes after me is already in a top club and this isn't something you do in the short term."