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Barcelona identify a shocking alternative to Neymar

By Atharva Khadilkar

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Neymar Junior of Paris Saint Germain celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on February 18, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Neymar Junior of Paris Saint Germain celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on February 18, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Despite their lengthy and publicly spoken interest in Neymar, Barcelona may end up passing on him in favour of a surprise target during the summer.

Barcelona are expected to have a productive summer as they plot major signings to add potion to their roster after what has been a fairly inconsistent and unconvincing season. Quique Setien will get his first pre-season with the squad as well as an entire transfer window, so it will be interesting to see how the Blaugrana react.

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Neymar and Lautaro Martinez are the two primary men on Barca’s wish-list. The South American duo is on fire this season for PSG and Inter Milan respectively, and will definitely ease the pressure off Lionel Messi. However, they will cost over 100 million euros each and the Catalans clearly cannot afford to spend that kind of money.

Given how matters are resolving over both of the club’s targets, it looks like Lautaro Martinez leapfrogs Neymar’s standing in Barca’s eyes and he is the one who is much closer to a transfer to the Camp Nou than the Brazilian stalwart. Having said that, Barca do require a left winger nevertheless and this summer would be a good time to sign one, Don Balon says.

Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho have been wasted investments of over 250 million euros. The France international has constantly had injury troubles and off-field issues over discipline, while the ex-Liverpool forward never found his feet in La Liga and has been touted to make a permanent move to Bayern Munich or Chelsea in the coming months.

In order to fortify their left flank, the Blaugrana may now turn to Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry in the summer. Gnabry has been on fire for the Bundesliga leaders this season and performed on the stage where it mattered most. With four goals against Tottenham in just one match and a brace at Chelsea on Tuesday, he could be a big success at the club.

Whether Bayern Munich will easily let go of Gnabry remains to be seen, but regardless of that, Barcelona’s first offer itself will need to be a commanding one. At 24, Gnabry has a lot of football and certainly a big amount of goals left him in him, so in today’s inflated market it is difficult to see him moving for anything less than 75 million euros.

Next. Messi & Barca president at crossroads over splendid transfer. dark

Do you think Serge Gnabry would be a better and more reasonable fit than Neymar?

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