Barcelona and Neymar are planning an extravagant reunion during the summer transfer window with the Catalan giants preparing a FIFA transfer regulation clause to seal the move.
ESPN reports that retired footballer Andy Webster could prove to be the inspiration behind the much-awaited return of Neymar to former club Barcelona. Webster, a former Scottish international, won a landmark ruling that gave him his freedom. Once under contract with Heart of Midlothian, Andy famously joined Wigan Athletic after walking out of his contract. With one year remaining on his four-year deal, Webster invoked FIFA’s Article 17 of their transfer regulations that secured his move to the then Premier League side.
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The clause was introduced back in 2001, when the transfer system was threatened by the European Commission, as the existing system within the European Union undermined a footballer’s freedom of movement. The article states that any player would be allowed to leave their existing contract once the three-year protection spell concludes.
Neymar has been publically vocal about his desire to return to the Nou Camp. Blaugrana, now, are keen on attempting to bring back the Brazilain star as many regard him to be the natural heir to Lionel Messi. Despite being 28 years of age, Neymar is one of the best talents in world football and Barca want to do everything in their power to make his return possible.
Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu has big plans for the summer transfer window with reports claiming Neymar and Lautaro Martinez are the top priority for Bartomeu as he looks to end his term in 2021 with a bang.
The report claims that the President has put his faith in Wouter Lambrecht, a Belgian lawyer expert in the matters of UEFA, ECA (European Club Association) and FIFA, who is responsible for examining every option of the club to secure a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
ESPN, via legal expert, has reported that Neymar would have to initially break his contract with the Parisiens, once the third year of his existing contract comes to a completion. Once this is done, the two sides would have to hold a negotiation to reach a mutual agreement, a difficult task which had hindered their negotiations last summer as well when the two clubs sat down to discuss the Brazilian’s future.
FIFA would have to resolve the situation if neither of the two parties reaches an agreement; however, PSG have displayed intentions of letting Neymar go as they look to finalize a new contract offer for Kylian Mbappé, as they face the risk of losing the Frenchman as well to Spain’s Real Madrid.
Should Barca risk their relationship with PSG by invoking Article 17?