According to L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain have set a staggering €300 million asking price for Neymar. The Brazilian superstar has been linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, but the French giants have remained adamant on selling him for a higher fee than the one they paid to get the Brazilian to Paris. As a result, they have come up with such a hefty price-tag on Neymar, which, in fairness, seems enough to force Barca to put off their pursuit for Neymar.
Sales of unwanted players is an absolute necessity
To fund a move for Neymar, Barcelona first need to get rid of their unwanted players. Thinning the squad as much as they can, will help them not only recover the wage budget but also provide them with a significant boost to their wallet.
The Blaugrana have already sold the likes of Jasper Cillessen, Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez this summer. Malcom is also linked with a big-money move to Zenit St. Petersburg that could help Barca pocket around €40 million upfront.
But, Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic remain at the club. These two players could find it challenging to get regular gameplay following the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong. Hence, getting rid of them could be the best bet. Manchester United recently have expressed an interest in Rakitic.
Griezmann’s addition could be a big factor
Speaking of Griezmann, the Frenchman’s addition to the club might have already made a massive dent in Barcelona’s pursuit of Neymar. The World Cup winner cost the Catalans around €120 million – a sum they could have used in a deal to bring back the Brazilian.
The disapproval of Lionel Messi along with few other Barcelona stars regarding the arrival of Griezmann is already well documented. And making a big-money move for the former Atletico Madrid superstar may not have been the most logical choice from the Spanish giants.
Neymar could (once again) disrupt Barcelona’s wage structure
Barcelona already boast the services of a host of world-class individuals at the moment. It is a list that includes Messi, Coutinho, Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, among many others. Therefore, it’s only obvious that the Blaugrana shell out a lot of money on wages.
Neymar’s addition, to that end, could disrupt the club’s wage structure that is already preventing them from signing a regular star, let alone the Brazilian. Lack of financial firepower in terms of wages was a key reason behind Neymar’s move to PSG in the first place. And the potential return of 27-year-old could once again create a massive financial conflict within the club.
Hence, it will perhaps be wiser for the Catalans to drop their pursuit of Neymar and build their team around the current crop of individuals, who, in turn, are more than capable of conquering Europe.
