Neymar no longer an option for Barcelona claims President

Barcelona president is not optimistic about Neymar despite Messi’s interest

Barcelona recently offered two megastars in order to secure Neymar for this summer, but the club’s president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, believes the deal will not happen.

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Lionel Messi‘s contract was a major talking point after the recent public quarrel between the management and the club’s captain. His current deal expires in 2021 allowing the Argentine maestro to leave at the end of this season.

This placed the current board under immense pressure to do everything to convince the best player in the world to continue at Camp Nou until he hangs his boots. In order to do that, the hierarchy must not only sign a new manager like Xavi or Ronald Koeman, but also add multiple quality signings to reinforce the squad.

Firstly, the managerial role at Barca is very uncertain with Quique Setien under heavy criticism as Barca lost their previously held lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga table. One of the majorly linked coaches was Xavi, who has recently signed an extended deal with current employers, Al Sadd until the end of 2020-21 season. Another name on the list is Pep Guardiola with the Manchester City boss reportedly insisting Bartomeu’s exit to gain his reunion.

While it is unclear who will manage the Catalan side next season, Setien has surely impressed the board with his squad’s latest performance against Villarreal, which might be enough to earn him another season as the Blaugrana manager. In terms of the quality signings desired by Messi, both Lautaro Martinez and Neymar are far from signing a deal with Barca.

Lautaro’s special clause, which set his release clause to 111 million euros, has expired with Inter Milan insisting that they are not looking to sell the young striker. Meanwhile, Neymar was another player largely desired by his former teammates at Camp Nou namely Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, and more.

Barca have made multiple offers to Paris Saint-Germain with their latest one being an exchange offer including both Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann. While the French side might be interested in securing two national talents to make an all French attack with Dembele, Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe, the combined value of the two players will still be short of what they desire for selling Neymar back to Barca.

Bartomeu, however, has spoken to RAC 1, insisting that the deal will most probably fail as Neymar is a massive signing involving a lot of money, which the club simply cannot afford during this transfer market which has been heavily affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"“Such an operation [Neymar] is unlikely because the situation of all the clubs in Europe is very difficult.” Barca president told RAC 1"

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