PSG's Neymar Bid Is 'Retaliation' for Marco Verratti Pursuit, Says Joan Gaspart

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart believes Paris Saint-Germain's pursuit of Neymar has been a "retaliation" to the Blaugrana showing interest in Marco Verratti. 

As reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, speculation has gathered pace that Neymar is ready to join PSG in a potential €222 million move. However, speaking to RAC1 (h/t Football Espana), Gaspart dismissed any notion the Brazilian might be on the move:

"Neymar won't leave Barca. What's happening is that PSG are retaliating because they're annoyed by a move to sign their player [Verratti]. They're trying to make a mess of Neymar's situation. I hope that Neymar clears up that he's not going soon. [I hope he] says that he's delighted to be at Barcelona and that the rumours have no foundations."

Gaspart, who was president at the Camp Nou between 2000 and 2003, added that Neymar will be a Barcelona player for "many years" to come and accused PSG of using "destabilising tactics."

CESAR RANGEL/Associated Press

Sport has made similar suggestions, noting that as well as Verratti, Barcelona have upset PSG by chasing Marquinhos and Thiago Silva in the past. "That's why [PSG] are happy to let the rumours run," the piece continued.

Even so, various reports have suggested a deal for Neymar is moving along. According to GloboEsporte (h/t Metro), the 25-year-old has told some close friends he is on his way to the Parc des Princes this summer, while Mokbel added that PSG are hopeful of getting a deal done.

Additionally, as noted below, PSG have the financial might to tempt any player in the game to sign up to their project:

Barcelona have also been strongly linked with a move for Verratti, with stories emerging throughout the summer suggesting they were to bid for the Italian.

It's a target that makes sense for the Blaugrana. After all, Verratti himself was able to expose a flimsy Barca midfield in the UEFA Champions League last term when PSG beat the La Liga side 4-0 at the Parc des Princes. That was before Luis Enrique's side sensationally turned things around in the second leg of the tie, of course.

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Still, with his awareness, passing ability and technical quality, Verratti is a player who is perfectly attuned to the traditional Barcelona way of playing. 

But, according to reports in Brazil cited by journalist Fernando Duarte, PSG want to keep their playmaker at the club for a while yet:

PSG's interest in Neymar appears to be sincere, and while the money mentioned as part of a possible transfer is obscene, he's arguably worth the outlay. Given his current profile, age and potential for further development, the Brazilian must be considered one of, if not the most valuable footballer on the planet.

However, deals of such magnitude take a long time to be finalised. Expect this one to continue to simmer throughout the transfer window.