Report: Barcelona president insists Neymar is staying put
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu attempted to swat away rumours that Neymar will leave to become top dog at Paris Saint-Germain, allegedly telling BBC Sport that he’s going nowhere.
Bartomeu’s insistence followed reports that PSG had met the Brazilian’s €222-million release clause at the Camp Nou, which could incredibly be a cut-price fee. The amount that clubs will have to stump up to pry Neymar from Barca is set to rise with each of year of his contract that expires in 2021.
Bartomeu’s warning to PSG backed the words of his colleague at Barcelona, vice-president Jordi Mestre, who insisted Neymar is “200 percent” staying with the Blaugrana on Tuesday.
Although a transfer for such an exorbitant amount – comfortably over double the cost of the world’s most expensive player, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba – would seem unlikely to materialise, there are several aspects that make it feasible.
PSG is desperate to re-establish itself as France’s great force after Monaco took its Ligue 1 crown and reached the semi-final of the Champions League last campaign. Backed by Qatari owners, no player is beyond Les Parisiens’ financial means, as evidenced by the acquisitions of Javier Pastore, Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani, David Luiz, Angel Di Maria, and Julian Draxler in each of the past six seasons. This term has yet to see its expensive marquee purchase.
Then there’s Neymar’s status in Catalonia. He could’ve been unsettled by the Spanish investigation related to financial irregularities surrounding his 2013 transfer from Santos, but there are also on-field matters. He’s blessed to be part of one of the most frightening attacking triumvirates in club history – the 25-year-old regularly partners Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – but it’s perhaps Barca’s embarrassment of riches up top that prevents him from winning the greatest individual prizes.
“You can’t be FIFA World Player of the Year if you’re not even the outstanding player in your own team,” South American football expert Tim Vickery told BBC Sport.
“I think it’s absolutely no coincidence that this speculation has emerged shortly after the news that Messi has signed a new contract with Barcelona.”
Neymar himself was quoted Tuesday declaring he’s content at Barca and claiming that last season – when he scored his lowest amount of league goals (13) since the 2013-14 term – was his most fruitful.
“The last one was my best season in Barcelona. I am very adapted to the city, the club and I am happy here. That is reflected on the performance of an athlete,” Neymar told Goal in response to a question initially sent to him the previous week.
“It was the season where I felt more comfortable, even though we did not win the titles we would have wanted. We played great games and lived incredible moments. Now, we need to work for the 2017-18 season so it will be even more positive individually and as a group.”
In a transfer window that’s closely followed the futures of Antoine Griezmann, Alexis Sanchez, and many other huge names, it’s the potential next step of Neymar’s career that appears likely to dominate the back pages for some time yet.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
