Between Neymar and FC Barcelona is a bit of a dangerous affair. Despite his shattering departure from Catalonia in the summer of 2017, the Brazilian attacking midfielder retained a good popularity rating in the Blaugranas’ locker room. Last summer, the international Auriverde thought he would be able to bend the PSG to make his comeback with great fanfare. Unfortunately for him, the intransigence of Leonardo and the Parisian club sounded the death knell for his hopes.
But as we know, the Spanish champion could return to the charge next summer and finally complete this pharaonic dossier. If Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez are firmly waiting for the return of their former partner, the latter should wait a while longer. This Thursday evening, TV3 thus reveals that the Catalan leadership has changed gear in the Neymar case. Entangled in unprecedented financial worries since the suspension of competitions linked to the coronavirus pandemic, the upper echelons of Barcelona must make choices.
Barça favors the arrival of Lautaro Martinez and the extension of Messi
With the ultimate goal of not overpowering the economic situation of the Catalan club. Catalan public television says that FC Barcelona has abandoned the idea of repatriating Neymar next summer! The astronomical cost of the operation prompted Josep Maria Bartomeu and his collaborators to stop hostilities with regard to number ten of the PSG. Aware that a future transfer of Neymar will not be negotiated for less than 170 million euros, the Blaugranas have therefore decided to surrender. A strategic choice that should allow the residents of Camp Nou to focus on two other files: the arrival of Lautaro Martinez and the extension of Lionel Messi. Designated as Luis Suarez’s natural successor to attack, Inter Milan’s striker was raised as a summer priority by Bartomeu.
If the Argentinian international has a release clause estimated at 111 million euros, Barça intends to include several players in the operation to finalize the dossier. In parallel, Josep Maria Bartomeu absolutely wants to complete the extension of Lionel Messi. Under contract until 2022 with FC Barcelona, the Pulga has a clause allowing him to leave Catalonia next summer. Messi loudly proclaimed his desire to continue the adventure at Barça, which should facilitate negotiations between all parties. Finally, the Blaugranas still hope to find an agreement for the extension of Ter Stegen. Clearly, the Neymar case seems much lower priority at this time in Barcelona …
–
