Is Barcelona a Good Fit for Neymar?

Santos forward Neymar is the most overhyped youngster in recent memory. He’s on course to achieve a blockbuster transfer, just like Denílson did in 1998 when he moved from São Paulo to Real Betis for a then-world record transfer fee.

Barcelona, a club who’ve enjoyed rich success with Brazilians, are likely to sign Neymar. 

Is Barcelona a good fit for Neymar when he moves? 

5. Neymar's Current Relationship with Barcelona

According to Duncan Castles at The National, Barcelona paid Santos €10 million in return for the right to sign Neymar by 2014. Should Santos break the agreement, Barça will receive €20 million compensation. If the Spanish club exercise their right to sign Neymar, it's estimated to set them back €60 million. 

Castles wasn't alone when he reported the agreement between the two clubs, with AS and Guillem Balagué on Revista de la Liga saying the exact same thing. 

However, Santos denied that the agreement ever took place: 

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As announced on November 9 this year, the athlete Neymar will stay with the club at least until the 2014 World Cup. His contract is wholly-owned by Santos, and includes no rights of first-refusal to other clubs interested in his services.

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It didn't make sense from the get-go because should Neymar run down his contract, Barça could sign him for free. Obviously, Santos will attempt to tie him down next year by throwing money at him. 

If Neymar does not commit long-term, Santos will sell him to the highest bidder. This is where Real Madrid comes in because they can outbid Barça. 

4. Neymar Is Smitten over Barcelona

Last December, Neymar said: "Barça are the best team in the world. They all play the ball. Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are crucial and I hope to play with them live."

Neymar won't be too smitten when the likes of Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid double or even triple the wages Barcelona would be offering him. 

3. Neymar's Good Relationship with Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi's father dispelled any misconceptions of jealousy between Lionel and Neymar: "Leo told me that Neymar is a good kid. They spoke with each other and they have a good rapport."

Whenever Neymar has been given the chance, he's reinforced Messi's status as the greatest player in football.

The fact that it contradicts Pelé's comical assessment of Neymar being better than Messi shows the adulation the current Santos forward has for Messi. 

2. Barcelona's Footballing Philosophy

Barcelona play such a selfless brand of football.

When in possession, pass and move into a position to receive a pass.

Upon losing the ball, press to win back the ball within five seconds. 

Neymar plays more like a young Cristiano Ronaldo than Lionel Messi. The Argentine attempted 954 more passes, but still scored four more La Liga goals than Ronaldo. 

Unless Neymar is coming cheap, Barça shouldn't dig themselves a bigger financial hole by signing a player motivated on individual glory, rather than team success. Just continue building the team around the Argentine. 

1. Més Que Un Club

Barcelona's reputation has suffered because of their disgraceful diving and José Pinto's cheating. 

Yes, Barça would be signing an outlandishly talented footballer in Neymar. But they'll also be signing a troubled, narcissistic, know-it-all youngster who forced the club to sack manager Dorival, after he attempted to instill some discipline.

Not only is Neymar's attitude repulsive, but his indiscipline is an area of concern. 43 yellow cards and two red cards for someone who can't tackle speaks volumes of how impulsive he is. 

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Please read Analysing Paul Pogba's Decision to Sign with Juve

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com