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Neymar has found the PSG this July 15 in a very tense context. The Brazilian would like to leave and the club, tired of his star, opens the door. But no question of selling the attacker so far. What make the operation of a return to FC Barcelona even more complicated than it already is, two years after the shattering departure of Neymar ...
Two years ago, Paris Saint-Germain was the great host of the summer transfer market by signing two huge shots. First, the capital club blew the bank by snatching Neymar Junior FC Barcelona by activating the penalty clause of the player, which was 222 million euros. The Brazilian became the most expensive football player in history . Then, Paris snatched the new star Kylian Mbappé AS Monaco for 180 million euros (bonus included).
Two years later, the PSG is again at the heart of the wildest movements, a bit in spite of himself. Mbappé put the pressure a few weeks ago, but except reversal of unlikely situation, the attacker will not leave during this summer 2019. The deal is completely different, however, concerning Neymar.
Chronicle of a divorce started in less than two months
For weeks now, the Brazilian and his club have been multiplying words and actions that suggest an impending divorce. First, the No. 10 left Paris to Brazil before the last match of Ligue 1 - for which he was suspended - with the agreement of the sports director Antero Henrique but without that of the coach Thomas Tuchel, who is annoyed publicly.
Then, mid-June, the information of L'Équipe falls: the PSG would be ready to leave his jewel in case of interesting offer. Two serious injuries, a general problematic behavior, a charge of alleged rape are all factors of the lassitude of the club. The player himself would have hinted, before returning to his homeland - where he was injured before the start of the Copa America, for which he was finally forfeited - that he wanted to leave Paris.
And since then, every day brings its share of rumors, official statements and decisions. Neymar would like to return to FC Barcelona, but the operation is very complex. July 8, new break: the Brazilian is not there for the resumption of training, which irritates Leonardo, who has meanwhile replaced Henrique in Paris. PSG announces that it will crack when the player claims that the club knew he would come back a week later. But more importantly: the same day, Leonardo admits that Neymar wants to leave, that there are contacts with Barca, and that Paris will sell the "Ney" if a satisfactory offer reaches him.
The ongoing divorce between Paris and Neymar has further progressed during the weekend when, in an interview at the site Oh My Goal, the striker said that one of his greatest memories was the " remontada ", the famous match March 8, 2017 when FC Barcelona beat and eliminated PSG 6-1 in the Champions League. A statement taken as an affront by the Parisian fans. Many of them now plead for a departure from Neymar, a player they have supported but never liked, such as Edinson Cavani, less talented and much more appreciated.
Return to Barcelona, not a trivial matter
Paris is therefore ready to sell Neymar, but out of the question to give it up at any price, especially with the threat of financial fair play that still hangs. The Brazilian is 27 years old, and despite his injuries, he keeps a good odds. According to Le Parisien , PSG would require some 300 million euros. A huge price that reduces the list of contenders. There appeared to be two of them a few weeks ago: FC Barcelona, Neymar's former home between 2013 and 2017, and Real Madrid.
But the track Madrid has almost flown. In reconstruction, Real has already paid 300 million euros to bring including Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy ... perhaps waiting for Paul Pogba. And PSG side, the White House would especially in the idea of tackling Kylian Mbappé from next summer.
There remains Barça. But here too, the case is very complicated. First of all, Neymar has fallen back on many people in Catalonia by choosing to respond to the sirens of PSG in 2017. His departure was lived as a betrayal, although the Brazilian retains the affection of executives blaugrana locker room, starting with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the two South Americans with whom he formed the famous "MSN".
Then Barcelona continued to live without Neymar. Ousmane Dembélé was recruited in 2017, then Philippe Coutinho early 2018 and Malcom thereafter. And after about two years of work, the Catalans have just offered Antoine Griezmann . With also Frenkie de Jong among others, Barça has just spent 233 million euros.
Leaders are not against the project of a return, but several parameters come into account. Neymar should probably apologize to regain the hearts of fans who have not forgiven him his departure. And above all, FC Barcelona should simply be able to acquire it, from a financial point of view and from a sporting point of view. The last purchases in Barcelona limit the room for maneuver, and there is traffic jam in the offensive sector.
The next few weeks will be hot
On July 15, Neymar made his return to France. He was good at training PSG in the morning. Neither he, nor the club have ventured on the subject. The Brazilian is currently silent on social networks, and PSG has only published four photos where the attacker appears to be performing a training room.
According to RMC Sport, Leonardo and his young compatriot exchanged a few minutes. Neymar should be punished, internally, for his return with seven days late. This is the new management of a club that decided to say stop individual drifts. But no more grievances in perspective; PSG can not annihilate all ties with one of the best players in the world whose future is still written, for the moment, within it.
Now, Neymar is waiting. What will be his future, while the summer transfer window is in full swing? In the coming weeks, rumors more or less serious may multiply. Neymar will he play for Paris, where his contract runs until 2022 but where he just put the opinion back? Or will he return to Barcelona if it is only feasible? This is the summer soap opera of the football planet.