Xavi makes sensational Neymar U-turn as PSG star names transfer condition
Robin Bairner
- 9 Aug 2023 07:30 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona head coach Xavi has refused to rule out the possibility of Neymar returning to the club this summer as rumours build that the Paris Saint-Germain star could leave Ligue 1 this summer.
Lionel Messi has already departed PSG, leaving on a free transfer for Inter Miami, while Kylian Mbappe is presently in the midst of a huge transfer war with the club over his future, which will apparently end with him going to Real Madrid this summer or next.
Neymar was expected to remain and be the centrepiece to Luis Enrique’s side next term, but in a dramatic turn of events, he has made a last-minute decision to depart Parc des Princes too.
MORE: Barcelona seek Saudi HELP for Neymar transfer
Initially, Xavi appeared cool on the prospect of Neymar making a staggering return to Barcelona, stating: “I appreciate Neymar as a person, a player and a friend. He’s a great player but he’s not in our plans, no.”
After Tuesday’s Gamper Trophy success over Tottenham, achieved by a 4-2 success after Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Abde Ez scored in the final 10 minutes, Xavi had changed his tune.
“Neymar? I can't move forward. Last year, I talked about a player from another team and they got angry. So we'll see by the end of the transfer window,” he said, offering a very different perspective of the chances of landing the Brazilian.
MORE: Barcelona fit 16-YEAR-OLD wonderkid signing with ENORMOUS release clause
Neymar’s Saudi shock?
Barcelona hope their strong relationship with Saudi Arabia could be used to leverage a transfer and help them negotiate Financial Fair Play (FFP) on this case.
Neymar, Sport reports, is not happy at PSG and is open to moving to the Saudi Pro League should they allow him to play one season on loan at Barcelona first.
This possibility could open the door to an unlikely Camp Nou return for the 30-year-old, who departed the club in controversial circumstances in a €222 million deal back in 2017.
Since then, Neymar has failed to reach his full potential with PSG due to injury problems, but he had looked sharp in the one preseason start he had been given. Could that be his last appearance for the Parc des Princes club before returning to Barcelona?
