It’s been less than two weeks since the window closed, but it looks like Barcelona have started planning for the 2020/21 season.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar was one of the targets they failed to sign in the summer and the Brazilian and his current teammate Kylian Mbappé are now looked at as a potentials for next summer, claims Mundo Deportivo.
Having left the La Liga winners for PSG in 2017, it’s claimed Neymar was not welcomed by everyone at the Camp Nou in the summer. The Blaugrana’s effort to sign him created a conflict within the club and a few executives were willing to resign if he rejoined.
Lionel Messi told Sport he is unsure if the club did everything in their power to sign Neymar. His comments led to a ‘strong internal wave’, resulting in surprise and anger amongst some managers and executives.
There isn’t total consensus with Barcelona’s board to re-sign Neymar and an ‘internal debate’ has started at club over whether it is best to sign Mbappé over the former Santos man.
Barca’s key board members believe it’s better to try signing the France international because he’s around seven years younger and is currently a better player than Neymar.
Mundo states ‘another factor that reinforces among several executives and members of the technical area the commitment to Mbappé is that he would not generate the rejection that Neymar causes in a high percentage of partners of the club.’
Mbappé has also been linked with Real Madrid and it would be a dream for Los Blanocs to sign him, so equally nice for their rivals to beat them to it.
If Barcelona also decide to join the race, it will be a battle between these clubs for the World Cup winner next summer.
