PSG responds to Barça on ‘world’s most expensive player’

TWO titans of Europe in Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have set the groundwork for a possible move for Brazilian striker Neymar back to the Camp Nou next summer.

Read: Barcelona intensify interest in Tottenham midfielder

The Ligue 1 winners have reportedly stated their terms to Barcelona on what they may want if a deal is to take place and Neymar return to his old club. The 28-year-old has been linked with a move back to Spain for the past couple of seasons and last summer, according to reports, Barça captain Lionel Messi wanted his former teammate, who formed part of the deadly ‘MSN’, to be brought back to Spain.

Paris Saint-Germain 4-0 Barcelona, 2017 UEFA Champions League ...
Barcelona are reportedly in the midst of holding talks with Paris Saint-Germain on a move for Brazilian forward Neymar (Image: Getty Images).

While offers were tabled and negotiations had, the saga fizzled down to nought with the Blaugrana, instead, bringing in Frenchman Antoine Griezmann. Reports now, however, are that the Catalans could be going back for the South American boy wonder this summer.

According to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, the French champions want €80 million (R1.5 billion) and forward Ousmane Dembele in exchange. Neymar left the Catalan giants for a world record fee of €222 million (R4.2 billion) in 2017 when the Ligue 1 side activated a release clause in his contract.

Neymar ordered to pay Barcelona 6.7 million euros as case against ...
Neymar left the Catalan giants for a world record fee to join the Parisians in 2017 (Image: Reuters).

That is when Barça replaced him with Dembele, signing the Frenchman from Borussia Dortmund for €105 million, with an extra €40 million in add ons, just a year after he had arrived in Germany for an estimated €15 million. Battles with injuries and form, however, means the move has not worked out for the former Rennes winger, who has started in only three games in La Liga for the champions this season.

Griezmann, meanwhile, has been the subject of criticism in his first season, which sees the Spanish giants once again linked with moves for forwards this summer. Inter’s Lautaro Martinez is their main target in the transfer window but there have been questions over whether the Spanish side will pay the huge price for him.

Suárez, Messi and Neymar will get back together in Uruguay
Neymar formed part of Barcelona’s deadly attacking trio dubbed ‘MSN’ alongside the talismanic Lionel Messi and the duos South American compatriot, Luis Suarez (Image: Sourced).

The Catalans may hope that signing Neymar will go some way to keep Messi from leaving, after claims the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is ready to find the exit door at the end of next season.

Do you think Neymar will make a sensational return to Camp Nou next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.