Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino has hinted that it would be difficult – but not impossible – to complete a transfer deal for Neymar Junior until 2025.

The Brazil international is rumored to be targeting a Saudi Arabia exit in 2025 despite returning from a serious knee injury at Al Hilal.

The Saudi Pro League side are expected to get a tough deal as they retain the option to extend his contract until 2026 after it expires in June.

Former club Santos is rumored to be working on a deal to bring him back to Brazil, despite rumors of interest from Miami.

Martino laughed that Neymar’s purchase of a house in Miami was an indication of a transfer, although he himself had links to the player with Barcelona and his old friend Lionel Messi.

“If Messi and the boys are already here, anything can happen. What I can’t imagine is how this would happen if the league didn’t make the salary question more flexible.

“Writing it or saying it in the media is all good, nothing happens, it has no consequences, what would the implementation look like?” The reality is, if there is something the MLS has, it is strict rules cannot be broken unless the MLS decides to change.”

Martino’s comments relate to the salary cap imposed on clubs by the MLS, which would force Neymar to take a huge pay cut to join Inter Miami, with the three Designated Player spots currently filled.