Neymar Can Reportedly Leave PSG for €220M Next Summer Amid Barcelona Rumours
October 18, 2018
Neymar reportedly has an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi that means he can leave the club for €220 million (£193 million) at the end of the campaign amid recent speculation regarding a return to Barcelona.
On Wednesday, Mundo Deportivo reported that Neymar would be open to moving back to the Camp Nou for a second spell, having left the club for PSG in the summer of 2017 (h/t Football Espana).
According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Andrew Gilpin of the Daily Mirror), Neymar can leave the Parc des Princes at the end of this season for the same world-record price PSG paid to land him.
"The likes of [Lionel] Messi were consulted on how they [would] feel if the Brazilian were to come back at the end of the season now it's a strong possibility," Gilpin noted. "Yesterday, sources close to Neymar laid out why he wants to go back to the Camp Nou—and it's got a lot to do with Kylian Mbappe."
It's said that Neymar feels as though he has been overshadowed at PSG because of Mbappe, whose profile has risen significantly this year.
The Brazil international also reportedly misses the relationship he had with Messi and Luis Suarez in his time at Barcelona, as well as the Catalan weather. The club, however, is reportedly wary of his advisers, who were key to his transfer going ahead.
The Spanish Football Podcast relayed the Mundo Deportivo-reported reasons why Neymar wants to make the switch back to Barcelona:
The Spanish Football Podcast @tsf_podcast“The keys” to Neymar’s Barça return, according to Mundo Deportivo: 1. Not being considered for the Ballon d’Or or The Best 2. Mbappé has overshadowed him with his goals 3. He’s “nostalgic” for the Barca dressing room and his life in BCN https://t.co/qpNLnwyFQJ
Although there has been speculation there is tension between Neymar and Mbappe, it hasn't been evident when the pair have been on the field together.
If anything, they appear to enjoy each other's company, as they have each scored eight times and set up three goals in Ligue 1 this season.
From an attacking perspective, there doesn't appear to be much wrong for PSG with that duo leading the charge:
According to reports in France, it's Edinson Cavani who is feeling left out, per football writer Tom Williams:
Although Neymar may retain strong relationships in Barcelona, he would have burnt a lot of bridges with supporters for walking out on the Blaugrana in the manner he did.
Additionally, given the work PSG put in to getting a deal done in 2017, it would be a surprise if an agreement is in place to allow Neymar to leave for the same fee.