Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is desperate to fulfill his dream of being Neymar back for next season into a reality as he is convinced that the Brazilian is key for a successful future.
Considering it is Bartomeu’s last year in his office, he has made it quite clear that he wants to leave with a bang by not only securing the Paris Saint-Germain star but also extending Lionel Messi‘s stay at the Nou Camp.
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Neymar’s return not only bolsters the whole squad but also delights the dressing room, especially the likes of Messi, Gerard Pique, Arthur Melo and Luis Suarez, who are all good friends with the Brazilian international. It will also be a success among the fans and bring them a sense of nostalgia.
It all sounds great on paper but the financial implication that comes along with Neymar especially after being hit heavily by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic changes the situation quite drastically.
Firstly, the transfer fee will be based on player’s intentions of using the FIFA regulation that would allow him to depart his current club and allow another to buy out the remainder of his contract, according to Neymar’s former representative, Wagner Ribeiro, that amount would be around €164 million.
Blaugrana cannot afford such a fee especially after publically showing interest in signing Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, who has a similar transfer fee. The current economic aspects of world football indicate that the clubs would indeed have to change their transfer approach and that swap deals are the likely alternative.
Secondly, Neymar’s lucrative wage might also cause problems as he is currently earning €70 million euros per season at PSG, a figure Barca simply cannot afford as their salary budget won’t allow it. Thus meaning Neymar would have to significantly reduce his salary if he wants to play alongside Messi and Suarez.
The problem with a swap deal is that footballers like to be in charge of their own destiny and finding a current player who would not only like to go to the Parisians but also be wanted by them, which is a rare occurrence.
Club’s former vice-president, Emili Rousaud, admitted that the club’s intentions of bringing Neymar back are quite real but remains possible only if all three parties reach an agreement.
Can Neymar signing be the answer to Barca’s Champions League dreams?