Paris (AFP)

Between Neymar and PSG, nothing is more like before, the Brazilian openly flirts with Barça, but the Catalan club still seems to hesitate: the serial of the summer transfer window holds the football planet in suspense, but could only be a huge game of liar poker, according to several experts.

Last episode in date: according to L'Equipe and several Spanish media, Barcelona would have proposed to Paris SG to exchange Neymar against Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé or Ivan Rakitic, as well as 40 million euros.

It's not much for a player bought 222 M EUR two years ago ... "Barça makes a test to see how the PSG responds," said Loïc Ravenel, an analyst at the Observatory of Football (CIES).

An opinion shared by Virgile Caillet, General Delegate of the Union Sport and Cycle: "We are in a phase where Barcelona sends sorts of test balloons, via the press or the agents, to estimate the degree of acceptability of the PSG. ".

For this sports marketing expert, "we have entered a phase of influence games between the different parties (the father and agent of Neymar, the PSG, Barça) which is a kind of liar poker".

- "Taken for a pigeon" ... -

"The conditions that Barça would put for Ney's return are practically impossible, we do not put a cent for the N.10 and an agreement with an exchange seems quite complex." Not to mention that his lack of professionalism off the field It should be added that now the Spanish tax office claims nearly 35 million EUR, "said Wednesday in an editorial the deputy director of Mundo Deportivo Josep M. Artells.

"Basically, Barça offers two players he wants to get rid of, and a relatively small amount.In accepting such an offer, the PSG would really feel to be taken for a pigeon," said Mr. Caillet.

From there to imagine that the club blaugrana would make an unacceptable proposal for the Parisian club to force the latter to refuse while saying he did what he could for the return of Neymar, there is a step he adds.

For the Spanish newspaper As, Barça is simply "laying the groundwork for negotiation". Even if in the background, the arrival of Neymar would not necessarily do his business ...

On the side of the PSG, which hopes to realize an added value by reselling Neymar, the account is clearly not there. Especially since the arrival of Coutinho, Rakitic or Dembélé does not necessarily fit into his strategy. "We never heard that PSG were interested in these players," said Ravenel.

- What is Neymar really worth? -

"Behind all this business, the real question that is asked is + what is the true value of Neymar today +?", Loïc Ravenel analysis.

Indeed, while the Brazilian was presented two years ago as a Ballon d'Or in power, the balance of power between the PSG and his goalscorer has today clearly reversed.

Repetitive injuries, more dazzling performances, image tarnished by accusations of rape, slap at a spectator-lodger, insults to referee: Neymar is clearly no longer the crack he was.

According to the CIES, the Brazilian's rating is now around EUR 120 million, 100 million less than the amount for which it was bought.

"The PSG will also have to put some water in their wine.It does not want to sell Neymar, but asking 300 M EUR today is clearly overpriced," says Ravenel.

But by setting the bar as high, the Paris club does not play too a game of dupes?

At this price, only a few major clubs are likely in theory to position themselves: besides Barça, we can think of Real Madrid or Manchester United. But these last strong places have made other choices and the Blaugrana club has just enlisted Antoine Griezmann for 120 M EUR.

So, in fact, the candidates to welcome "Ney" do not jostle. And if the issue of this transfer window was not basically for the PSG to show the Brazilian that he has, for the moment, any interest in staying?

© 2019 AFP