Neymar in contact with Barcelona over possible return – originally posted on Sportslens.com
Brazilian superstar Neymar is reportedly in contact with newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta over a potential return to the club, reports El Chiringuito (via the Express).
Neymar left Barcelona in the summer transfer window of 2017 for a world record £198 million fee, joining Paris Saint-Germain. He has since enjoyed a lot of success in France, scoring 83 goals in 105 appearances while winning seven domestic trophies, as well as reaching a Champions League final.
However, Les Parisiens will be concerned over his future, with his contract set to expire in 2022. They have been in talks with the forward over a new deal, but nothing has been agreed yet.
And now Spanish outlet El Chiringuito is reporting that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has got in touch with the Brazilian’s representatives over a possible return to the Camp Nou.
The 29-year-old enjoyed his best days at the Catalan giants. Making up one third of the infamous ‘MSN’ trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, he won the treble in the 2014/15 season and finished third in the Ballon d’Or, as well as scoring in the Champions League final against Juventus.
The former Santos man has previously spoken of his desire to play with Messi again. Back in December, following PSG’s victory at Old Trafford, Neymar said: “I want to play with Messi again. For sure next year we have to do it.”
This move could depend on Messi’s future. The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou since last summer’s transfer request. However, since Laporta’s election and Barcelona’s upturn of form, it has been heavily implied that he will stay put.
Financially, Barcelona would probably not be able to afford Neymar’s transfer fee in the upcoming summer window, so a move ahead of next season seems unlikely for now.
Another concern for PSG will be Kylian Mbappe, who is also out of contract in 2022. They will have to tie him down to a new deal or sell him this summer, or else they will risk losing the world’s two most expensive players of all time for free.
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