Barcelona face frightening times ahead without Messi and Neymar
The start of the 2020/21 season certainly does not look too bright. The club is set to lose out on several first-team players and lack the funds to replace them with equally talented players. Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Samuel Umtiti, and Arturo Vidal are some of the senior squad players who will be leaving the club this summer.
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In the attack, Koeman will be losing out on Leo Messi, Suarez, and Martin Braithwaite which will leave him with Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati, and Philippe Coutinho if he stays. The Catalans seriously need to make signings if they are to achieve some success in the 2020/21 signing, however, with a tight budget, it seems highly unlikely.
Now if Lionel Messi does leave this summer, Barca is practically losing out on 50 goals a season along with 20 or more assists. That’s the contribution that the Argentine forward has been consistently providing Barca for years, however, with no Messi, Barca needs an immediate backup.
The only back up that comes to everyone’s mind is Neymar Jr. A goal-scoring creative winger who has also proven his worth in the Spanish League. Neymar’s arrival at Camp Nou this summer could certainly prove to be a turning point for the club.
However, Neymar Jr has turned down the opportunity for a return
After a bitter defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, Neymar Jr has made it a mission to stay at PSG for another season and guide the French side to the UCL final one more time. The Brazilian has won the competition once with Barca in 2015 and is eager on winning it next season, however, with Paris Saint-Germain instead.
Neymar’s return can now be ruled out for good. The only other option the Catalans could consider would be Jadon Sancho to replace Messi. However, the English winger is set to continue for another season before making his dream move to Manchester United.
What must Barca do now? Who should they sign to replace Messi if he leaves?