BARCELONA’S hopes of reuniting with Neymar are set to take a backseat this summer as they prioritise deals for Lautaro Martinez and Miralem Pjanic.
Reports in Spain outline how the LaLiga giants are torn over whether to re-sign the Paris Saint-Germain forward, and whether they can afford him.
Neymar looks set to stay in Paris over the coming summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
Inter ace Martinez is one of two men desperately wanted by the BlaugranaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Last summer saw both Barcelona and Real Madrid make a major play at buying Neymar, 28, amid his unrest in the French capital.
Yet he stayed put with the Ligue 1 champions determined to not even contemplate his departure, having paid a world record £198million fee for him in 2017.
Ahead of the coming market, Marca consider it unlikely that Barcelona will return to PSG with a serious approach for the striker.
Inside the Camp Nou offices, there is said to be concern over Neymar’s lifestyle away from football as well as discontent over how he left the club.
Furthermore, some at the Blaugrana are all too aware of how Barcelona have faced several court cases over the complex deal that saw him arrive from Santos in the first place.
Then there are the simple financial hurdles that currently make it impossible for Quique Setien’s side to sign all three of Martinez, Pjanic and Neymar.
Therefore the club have reportedly relegated the Brazilian to third place of their transfer shortlist.
Inter Milan star Martinez, 22, is seen as a long-term target who fits the club’s mantra and can complement Lionel Messi’s game.
Coach Setien recently praised the Argentine for being one of the few players capable of working with the Catalan side’s talisman.
He said: “It’s clear that there are four or five players who play in that position that are extraordinary and that any of them could be at Barcelona.
“[Martinez] is a player who would be very good in this team, like other players of his level.”
And Pjanic, 30, is described as a key target who Barcelona have already pushed to sign as part of the deal to send Nelson Semedo to Juventus, according to reports.
I think Neymar will stay at PSG because the market is difficult.”
Wagner Ribeiro
Meanwhile, any prospective bidder for Neymar will find it difficult to persuade PSG to sell up amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The player’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, said: “I think Neymar will stay at PSG because the market is difficult.
“The economic world of football will change.”
Neymar and football pal Lucas Lima perform physical preparation work in Mangaratiba under lockdown
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
