Spanish giants Barcelona are planning to make another attempt to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar next summer, FutballNews has learned.
The Brazilian captain joined PSG in 2017 for a world record fee of €222m, but after two seasons with the French champions, he is been linked back to his former club.
During his four years in Barcelona, Neymar went on to score 105 goals in 186 games for the Catalan club before he left for France. Since joining PSG, the Brazilian has made it known that he wants to move back to Catalan and reunite with Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez.
Due to injuries and a dip in form, Neymar has scored eight goals in 10 matches for the Ligue 1 champions this term. He also had a clash with PSG supporters after his forced move to Barcelona failed. Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and director Eric Abida tried to sign him last season but Neymar was denied a move back to the Nou Camp by Les Parisiens’ Qatari owners.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, PSG still value Neymar at approximately £154million, and if an agreement can be reached, Neymar would attempt to claim the salary for the fourth year of the contract which he breached when he left in 2017. Therefore he would request approximately £20m upon his return to Barcelona.
Also, he can negotiate a return to Barcelona by triggering a clause in his contract. FIFA’s ‘Regulations on the Statute and Transfer of Players’ state that a player can request a move once the ‘Protected Period’ is fulfilled.
The authority, therefore, recognises Neymar’s right to leave the club when he turns 28 next year, in exchange for compensation.
In an interview with France Football, Neymar had said he is committed to his future in PSG, adding that his priority this season is the club and to win the Champions League.
The 27-year-old insisted that he will continue to give his all for the Ligue 1 champions and win more trophies for the club.
He said: “Why would I want to leave here?
“I still have two years on my contract, the team continues to progress. We have to stay focused on this season to do things well and win as many titles as possible.
“This season, the goal is the Champions League, and my priority is PSG, with maximum involvement each week. The goal is to always win the next game. In each game, we have to push for the club. That’s how I see it.
“I never wanted to hurt anyone but my head said that if you’re not happy somewhere, you have to leave.”
Speaking further, the 27-year-old noted his football personality and his career decisions should not be mistaken for the person he really is.
He said: “Very few people know the real Neymar. Only my parents and my friends. What people see is something completely different. And they don’t see that much!
“The real Neymar is peaceful, and very happy. I am someone who likes to spend time with my family and my friends. I like to enjoy myself and savour every minute of life with those close to me.”
On the reason he left Barcelona, Neymar said him leaving the Spanish club had nothing to do with Lionel Messi.
“I left because I wanted new targets,” Neymar said.
“It had nothing to do with winning the Ballon d’Or or being on the same team as Messi.”He is an amazing player, the best I have ever seen playing.
“It is not surprising that he has six Ballon d’Ors, there should be a Ballon d’Or just for him. I will always love Messi.”
