Brazilian star Neymar Junior has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he wants to leave the club, as per the latest in France.
The French giants have been open to selling the Brazilian for the last two summers, and it has been rumoured for some time that he would be interested in a return to Barcelona. However now L’Equipe say that despite having five years left on his contract, Neymar has told PSG he would like to leave the club.
Nevertheless, the problem will be his destination. Saudi Arabia and Chelsea have been noted as potential destinations, but without much force behind the reports. Meanwhile with Ousmane Dembele potentially on his way to PSG, there has been talk of Neymar going in the other direction.
🚨 BREAKING: Neymar Jr. has informed PSG of his desire to leave the club. @lequipe 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/PJzjEcJ4rk
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 7, 2023
La Portera de Nunez claim that a deal would be done, more than likely a loan, if it were not for Manager Xavi Hernandez. The board at Barcelona feel it would be a good move from a marketing point of view, but Xavi Hernandez has been adamant that Neymar should not be brought back.
Football Espana understand that Neymar met with Barcelona President Joan Laporta over the weekend, which may explain where these reports had emanated from.
The Barcelona boss was asked about this earlier in the summer, and all but laughed the option off – yet now it looks as if it could be a real possibility. As per MD, Neymar has been offered to Barcelona on multiple occasions, but Xavi believes that Neymar could disturb the good dressing room atmosphere he has worked so hard to build, as well as interrupting the hierarchy, which is functioning well.
Now 31, Xavi’s concerns are understandable, and for Barcelona it is likely a choice between having that extra bit of star quality they would be losing with Dembele’s departure, or potentially taking in a volatile element. Equally, Neymar’s injury record would suggest that they cannot guarantee he will be on the pitch when they need him most.
