NEYMAR “WANTS TO return to Barcelona”, claims the club’s vice-president Jodi Cardoner, but no discussions have been held with the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
A retracing of his transfer steps has been mooted for the Brazil international.
He left Camp Nou for France as part of a record-breaking €222 million deal during the summer of 2017.
Goals and trophies have been delivered at PSG, but Neymar is said to be looking for a way out of Parc des Princes.
It has been suggested that Barcelona would be willing to welcome the South American back onto their books, but no transfer talks have been opened by the Catalan club.
Cardoner told reporters when quizzed on the links to Neymar: “It is not the time to talk about arrivals.
We are in a process of departures; it is a period that expires on the 30th of this month.
“The correct thing is to say that Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, but I do not agree that Barcelona worry about signing Neymar, this is not on the table.
“There are many things about his departure that I did not like, many things.
“There are claims that we have signed Neymar. We have not signed anyone. We have not kept in touch with him. He and many more want to play for Barcelona.
It does not surprise me that Neymar wants to come back, it has already happened before with others and sometimes they have returned – Cesc [Fabregas], [Gerard] Pique.
“Neymar is a great player, but the circumstances of how he left also have to be evaluated to see if this can become a reality.”
Neymar is not the only forward said to be registering on Barcelona’s recruitment radar.
A move for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has been mooted for some time.
He has opened the door for a transfer this summer, a year on from opting to close it, but the France international is another that the Barca board are yet to approach.
Cardoner adder: “I understand that any player has the goal of coming to Barcelona, where the best players in history have been.
“All players can be willing to come and want to play, but we have to have a balanced budget.”
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So he’s not going to Newcastle then
@Richard O’Brien: Thought he was a shoe-in for Derby County. Everything he needs there too.. sorry, except the bottomless pit of money.
@An Observer: your not suggesting that the reason he’s so successful is the cash he can flash are you. The citeh fans won’t like that
@Richard O’Brien: An awful lot more to management than money. Obviously he can buy whoever he wants but then he has to handle all those huge egos, keep them happy and get them playing for the team, which I think is the secret to his success. If it was just about money Mickey Mouse could be manager.
@ger o’ dwyer: thanks for the lesson and I don’t necessarily disagree but I think it takes a better manager to be successful without the cash
@Richard O’Brien: careful now, in the spirit of the 21st century we shouldn’t take the piss out of minority groups.
Great to hear a man with extensive knowledge of the game commenting about how good a league the premiership is, a lot of haters out their saying the premier league is a joke, because only one or two teams can win it, which is not to far from the truth, but the overall competition for placing is brilliant and always throws up battles for the winners, top four, europa spots and relegation.
@Devilsavocado: I mean isn’t that the case for most of the top leagues in Europe?
@Devilsavocado: style of football lacking still. Too many foreigners. Should see if this year was a one off in terms of Europe, Spain has pretty much ruled the roost for a decade or more on the club and international scene. Best players like Hazard still know the best gravy. Lots love the hustle n bustle of the premier league but prob know little else.
Earth to Chippy!?