With the Premier League transfer window now closed, the attention turns to Europe and the business they can do before their windows close in the coming weeks.
While there may still be a push for Premier League stars from around Europe, Paul Pogba and Real Madrid being the obvious one, the most significant transfer in waiting is Neymar potentially leaving Paris Saint Germain.
The Brazilian has made it clear that he wants to leave Paris this summer and, if he can get his way, would love a return to Barcelona. That’s not an easy deal to get done, though, with the relationship between the two clubs now a hostile one.
Nonetheless, Barca seem keen on a reunion too, and it’s a saga that’s very likely to play out in the coming weeks. Naturally, the story is being covered the world over, particularly in Spain and France, and there are various reports about the internal workings of what would be a significant transfer.
First, Marca report that PSG are working hard to facilitate a departure for Neymar but they are determined to send him to ‘any club in the world except Barcelona’. Instead, they have elected Real Madrid as the club they would prefer to sell to.
Indeed, Marca’s stance is that PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has put Neymar on a platter for Madrid and all that his ‘friend’ Florentino Perez has to do is say yes to a deal.
That’s unlikely to happen, though, with the newspaper making it clear Madrid don’t see Neymar as a ‘priority’ as they’re convinced he doesn’t want the move.
However, that’s not backed up by Sport who believe Florentino Perez is keen on signing Neymar. They say Madrid wanted him last summer after Cristiano Ronaldo left, but PSG refused and Florentino Perez, wishing to maintain a good relationship with the French club, officially stated Madrid weren’t interested.
Neymar continued to be a target for him though, and they maintained contact, even talking to the Brazilian in March to discuss his future. It was after this conversation that Neymar decided to offer himself to Barcelona and made returning to the Nou Camp a priority.
Madrid are convinced they can get him, though, and despite their focus being Pogba, Neymar is a ‘soccer player that he (Perez) wants to see dressed in white’.
Sport seemingly back up Marca’s suggestion that there is a deal there to be done, saying Perez believes he can get Neymar with ‘ease’, but he doesn’t trust the player or his entourage. They are therefore keeping an eye on Neymar to ensure he doesn’t end up at Barcelona.
So where do Barcelona stand in all of this? Sport report that Barca have already seen multiple bids turned down by PSG. Instead, they are demanding €100m up front, Philippe Coutinho, Nelson Semedo and a third unnamed player on loan. Barcelona are not willing to accept that as they consider Semedo ‘unsellable’.
According to the newspaper, Barcelona believe PSG are making things untenable so that Madrid are free to sign Neymar this summer, which, as Marca believe, would be the Ligue 1 side’s preference. Either way, they assert that Neymar will leave.
They explain that PSG have held firm in their €222m valuation of Neymar, which is the release clause they paid to get him out of Barcelona.
However, the two sides met last week, and that resulted in a ‘significant advance’ in negotiations, with PSG now willing to accept a reduced fee so long as there is a player included in the deal.
That man will be Philippe Coutinho, and the newspaper believes next week could be ‘decisive’, with Barcelona expected to submit a formal bid of ‘significant’ money plus the former Liverpool player. PSG would be willing to accept that as they can use the funds to add to the squad with them looking at Paulo Dybala, a goalkeeper and a full-back.
A deal seems to be edging closer either way, and while Barcelona are at the front of the queue, Real Madrid are lingering in the background as well. It sets up the next week to be a decisive and fascinating one in the long-running drama that is Neymar.
