Neymar may leave PSG after Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe
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The situation at PSG, which already looked complicated due to the massive restructuring of the team initiated by its management and new coach Luis Enrique, the departure to the United States of the legend Lionel Messi and, above all, the strike organized by the leader Kylian Mbappe, became even more turbulent after reports of desire to escape from the club of its third leader. Forward Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, who sold him to the Parisians six years ago for a record amount of € 222 million. However, the Catalan club, which is experiencing financial difficulties, is unlikely to afford the acquisition of the Brazilian. So PSG may have to look for other options for him.
The fact that Neymar informed the leadership of PSG about his intention to leave the club before the transfer window closes was first reported by the French edition of L’Equipe. Later, this information was confirmed by other media resources, although the father and agent of the player, Neymar da Silva Santos Sr., called it untrue.
L’Equipe suggests that the May incident prompted the decision of the famous Brazilian striker, whose contract with the Parisians expires in 2025, in the first place. Then a large group of PSG fans came to the footballer’s house. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the performance of the 31-year-old striker last season in a very harsh manner, demanding that he “get out” of the team. ESPN suggests that the most important factor is the position of Luis Enrique, who was appointed head coach of PSG in the summer instead of Christophe Galtier. The Spanish specialist seems to have initiated a radical restructuring of the club, which, while remaining the flagship of French football, despite huge investments, cannot achieve success in the Champions League and, in general, significant game progress. As part of this restructuring, the club over the past two months has replenished almost a dozen players with a total value of more than €150 million, both well-known – like Luc Hernandez, Goncalo Ramos, Milan Skrinyar, Marco Asensio – and not very well-known. Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona is expected to join them soon. ESPN insists that Luis Enrique has already made it clear to Neymar that he does not fit in well with his concept of rejuvenating the roster and will not be able to count on his former status as an untouchable superstar.
The story with the Brazilian makes the situation at PSG even more turbulent. It was already difficult for a number of reasons. These are the large-scale changes initiated by Enrique and the club’s management, and the departure of Lionel Messi from it: the legendary Argentine went to the American Inter Miami. But chief among them is the confusing story of Kylian Mbappe, who, in the absence of Messi, was to become the undisputed leader of PSG. Mbappe has long informed the club’s management that he is not going to renew the contract ending next year, clearly demonstrating that he wants to leave the annoying project. However, PSG are failing to sell the French striker in order to prevent him from becoming a free agent next summer, who anyone can take for free. At the same time, the situation has been like a stalemate for several weeks now. Mbappe clearly does not want to continue his career at PSG. PSG, having left him without a Japanese commercial tour and, in principle, actually isolating him from the team, cannot find a suitable transfer option.
As for Neymar, L’Equipe has no doubt that he is determined to return to Barcelona. In the Catalan club, the Brazilian, who got into it ten years ago, apparently spent the best segment of his career, transforming him into an exceptionally sought-after player. Barcelona took full advantage of this demand. In 2017, she sold Neymar to PSG for €222m, a deal that is still a record-breaking deal in football.
ESPN, however, calls Neymar’s “reverse” transfer to Barcelona, despite the fact that they will need to fill the hole in the front line caused by Ousmane Dembele’s impending departure, “unlikely.” Firstly, because of the club’s not secret financial difficulties, which, unsuccessfully trying to meet the norms of financial fair play, still cannot include its newcomers in the application for the season, including Ilkay Gundogan, who came from Manchester City. Now it has only 13 players. Another expensive acquisition will only worsen the position of the Catalans. Secondly, according to ESPN sources, Barcelona coach Xavi objects to the appearance of Neymar, who has slightly lost compared to his heyday: his transfer priorities are not just another winger, albeit a former partner, but a central midfielder or extreme defender.
True, the list of contenders for the Brazilian is clearly not limited to this team alone. For example, RMC Sport and The Guardian reported that Chelsea are interested in the striker. And Sky Sports, according to which clubs from Saudi Arabia and the United States may also join the fight for the player, assures that PSG is ready to consider any offers to buy him, but within a certain price range. This, however, is a rather modest range compared to the price that the Parisians had to pay for Neymar six years ago. Now PSG are ready to part with him for £50-80m (€58-93m).
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