Journalists don’t have any football matches to write about due to the coronavirus crisis but there’s always something to make up about Neymar Jr.
The latest report comes from Joaquim Piera at Sport who claims that Neymar’s handlers have told FC Barcelona that the Paris Saint-Germain superstar wants to return to the Catalan club this summer.
Not only does Neymar want to return to Barcelona, but Piera writes that the Brazil international will do everything possible to facilitate a deal between the two rival clubs.
Neymar is under contract with the Ligue 1 leaders until 2022, so there’s no incentive to sell unless Neymar makes a public demand and essentially refuses to report to training as the 2020-21 season gets underway.
There’s been some talk about Barcelona and Neymar using a FIFA clause that would essentially allow Neymar to terminate his contract because he is 28-years-old and has been at PSG for three years. FIFA would then calculate compensation owed to PSG and Neymar would be free to leave.
I’m not entirely sure that would work legally and would likely only be attempted as a last-ditch effort to bring Neymar back to Barcelona.
However, considering how well Neymar has played this season and how emotional he was after the win over Borussia Dortmund, I get a real sense that he is happy in Paris.
If his friend Kylian Mbappé remains at PSG and signs an extension, I just don’t see Neymar leaving for a team not as talented to partner with Lionel Messi who is in the final stage of his career.
That said, I believe PSG will sell Neymar for the right price, rumored to be €150 million, or a package of players they deem acceptable.
With Financial Fair Play regulations expected to be softened some this summer, perhaps that will give Barcelona the opportunity to come up with the necessary funds and meet PSG’s asking price. If not, they should start looking elsewhere to find help for Messi.
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