Barcelona Transfer News: Top Rumours, Players Linked with Blaugrana Move
Barcelona on Friday released a statement opposing a Madrid court's decision to reopen the case investigating Neymar's transfer to the Camp Nouย in 2013. Meanwhile, manager Luis Enrique has suggested Aleix Vidal's time at the club is not over yet.
The Madrid court reopened Neymar's case three months afterย National Court judge Jose de la Mata closed it, and a statement onย Barca's official website read (h/t Sky Sports): "FC Barcelona has always maintained the innocence of all investigated."
The declaration keeps up the stance the Blaugrana have taken when it comes to Neymar's move to Catalonia, which was initially reported to be worth โฌ57 million (ยฃ49 million), per BBC News.
It's been speculated the value of the transfer was far higher than that, and German outlet DW Sports added the player himself isn't the only one at risk of court action:
Life has continued as normal for Neymar on the pitch, scoring two goals in four appearances across all competitions this season and barely seeing his form go interrupted amid so much off-field controversy.
Kieran Canning of AFPย reported there are other silver linings for the forward, too, with Arnold Schwarzenegger recently paying a visit to the Camp Nou:
It's clear Barcelona are eager to hang on to their South American superstar considering he only signed a new five-year contract in July.
Sky Sports La Liga recently provided a highlight reel of the talent Barca are so eager to see remain among their ranks, provided the reopened court case doesn't cause any disruption to his on-field production:
Elsewhere, Luis Enrique has said right-back Vidal still has a route back into his first-team plans despite a recent cryptic Instagram post from the latter, which some interpreted as a message aimed at the manager.
Catalan newspaperย Sportย reported on Vidal'sย Instagramย outburst after he was left out of the squad for Wednesday's 1-1 draw againstย Atleticoย Madrid, but his boss has since told reporters the right-back can revive his fortunes.
He said: "It seems perfect that [people] can form an opinion [on Vidal]. Itโs his life, and my decisions speak for themselves.ย Aleix is training swimmingly and trying to change a situation thatโs not good for him. If thereโs a coach that a player can change their situation under, itโs me."
Sport hinted the difficulty of the situation meant Vidal was open to leaving Barca in January, but Luis Enrique's words of encouragement suggest the defender's Camp Nou future may be brightening up.
