Two of the desired targets of Barcelona have given the club a massive and influential shock that may have a big effect on their near future.
Barcelona need a major revolution of their squad and both, Joan Laporta and Victor Font, are basing their election campaigns with the word that they will aspire to bring back Neymar and Pep Guardiola back to the Camp Nou. The player and manager may well bridge the gap between the club and a first Champions League title since 2015.
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Unfortunately, it looks like neither of them will be returning to the club. Pep Guardiola has already addressed the rumours about a potential second tenure at Barcelona by saying that his time is over. The master tactician is happy at Manchester City and hence, he will not be taking up the suggested role, neither now nor in the future.
El Desmarque has now reported that Neymar also will not pursue another spell at the Camp Nou and is set to stay put at Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazil international was desperate on a return to La Liga at one point and even resorted to vetoing training sessions. However, after emerging in the good books of the club’s fans and management, he is set to stay.
Neymar’s contract at the Parc des Princes expires in June 2022 and an extension is certainly on the cards. The 28-year-old will finally be able to grab the limelight amid Kylian Mbappe’s imminent departure to Real Madrid and could pursue his chances of Ballon d’Or under more exposure with Paris Saint-Germain itself.
Both parties are happy to extend their association and it is expected that Neymar will continue to be their highest paid player with an annual wage of 36 million euros. With that said, Barca must now explore alternative options for a successor to Lionel Messi and a marquee signing. Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah could be the perfect choice.
Who do you think are the best alternatives Barcelona can pursue for the two lost targets?