PSG sporting director Leonardo has revealed that AWOL superstar Neymar can leave the club from the French capital this summer if they receive an offer that suits everybody.
“Neymar can leave PSG if there is an offer that suits everyone. We have not received any offers. But we had, it’s true, very superficial contacts [with Barcelona],” Leonardo told French publication, La Parisien.
Neymar has not returned for pre-season
The forward has failed to return to the French club for the first day of pre-season training. However, he claims that he has agreed an extended break with PSG until the 15th July, due to his work with his own children’s institute in his homeland.
Neymar has been in Brazil supporting his national team at the Copa America, having missed the Selecao’s triumph due to injury. With many players, this would just be regarded as just a misunderstanding.
However, with Neymar, there is a sense that anything can happen, both on and off the field. Last week there was speculation in the international media that suggested that the Brazilian forward would not return to PSG. After Leonardo’s statement, that could be the case.
He struggles to avoid drama
Neymar never seems to be out of the limelight and from the outside looking in it seems he enjoys the publicity. He struggles to stay away from drama and controversy. Some critics claim that the reason he is not considered in the same bracket of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is because of his temperament. He is undoubtedly talented but feels the need for theatrics on the pitch and drama off it.
It is almost like the forward feels he needs to be in the news to stay relevant and he is desperate for recognition of his talent. In some situations, like these, sometimes players have people around who are not good for them. Maybe Neymar is one of those.
Barcelona looks like his likely destination
Leonardo quoted Barcelona’s interest in re-signing the star they sold for a reported fee of around £200million in 2017. The Catalan giants are currently favourites to sign Neymar. The Brazilian left the Blaugrana to step out of the shadow of Messi at Barcelona and become the top dog at another European club. However, while he was prolific for PSG, he had a problem in the shape of French youngster Kylian Mbappe.
The youngster is one of the best young attacking players in the world. Some even claimed that Neymar stepped out of Messi’s shadow only to step into Mbappe’s. For a player with an ego the size of the Brazilian’s, it will have been a big blow. Wherever he goes he seems to be in someone’s shadow. He might as well be in the shadow of one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a football pitch.
Any move by Barcelona would seemingly be complicated by the fact that the Blaugrana are attempting to tie up a deal with Atletico Madrid for French forward Antoine Griezmann.
The deal has turned sour after Atletico claimed that Barcelona had made contact with the forward prior to his release clause dropping to 120 euros earlier this month. However, the two clubs are expected to come to an agreement, as Atletico have already spent the potential fee on Portuguese starlet Joao Felix.
For Barcelona to sign Neymar they would either have to include players in any prospective deal or sell some players to raise funds. Either way, it would not be an easy deal. At this moment in time, Neymar is a PSG player. However, it now seems more than likely that the Brazilian will head back to La Liga with the Blaugrana for next season.
Will Neymar still be plying his trade in Paris next season?
