PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Neymar is the bookies favourite to replace Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp should the Barcelona legend leave.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner put in a transfer request after the 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich.
Neymar is the favourite to replace Lionel Messi should he leave Barcelona
And he is now refusing to turn up for pre-season training in Catalonia as he desperately seeks a move away from Spain.
Manchester City have emerged as the favourites to prise Messi from LaLiga, with their director of football Txiki Begiristain reportedly in Barcelona looking to strike a deal.
Should Messi leave the club, Ronald Koeman will almost certainly bring in a swift replacement as he looks to make an impression following his recent appointment.
Commenting on Messi’s potential exit, Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Plenty of blockbuster names are being lined up as potential Messi replacements.
“And as things stand a Neymar/Nou Camp reunion could well be on the cards.”
The Brazilian trickster is currently priced at 7/4 to return to the Nou Camp, three years after departing for Paris.
WAITING NEYM
It was only last month that it was reported that Neymar was dreaming of a reunion with Messi at Barcelona.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is also down at 7/4, though it is unlikely Barca would be willing to match the Reds’ £150million asking price.
A slightly cheaper alternative could be Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
Priced at 5/2, Barca could opt to make a move for the BVB star who is available for £108m.
Neymar’s PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe then comes in at 3/1, with Messi’s Argentine compatriot Lautaro Martinez at 7/2.
Arsenal hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is priced at 4/1, with Man City winger Raheem Sterling a surprising option at 5/1.
Koeman could make a move for Lyon ace Memphis Depay who he managed for Holland.
The former Red Devils man is priced at 11/2, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane at 6/1.
Completing the likely replacements for Messi is Juventus maestro Paulo Dybala, who like Kane, is down at 6/1.
Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
