Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Barcelona are reportedly using the suspension of matches to work on a deal to bring Neymar back to the club in a bid to stop Lionel Messi leaving in the summer.
The reports come as La Liga is currently suspended for at least two weeks to stop the spreading of the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite the suspension, Barcelona have reportedly continued to make a push for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Neymar, 28, after failing to sign the star this past summer.
Local media report the move is motivated, at least in part, by the fact Barcelona captain Messi, 32, very much still wants to team up with the Brazilian icon.
According to Spanish newspaper ‘El Confidencial’: “Leo Messi confesses he is not happy at Barca and there is only one thing that would make him go on” referring to buying Neymar from PSG according to sources from Messi’s “inner circle”.
Barcelona reportedly plan on continuing negotiations with PSG to see if they can reach a deal for the Brazilian international, who left the Camp Nou for Paris in a world record 222-million-EUR (198-million-GBP) deal in 2017.
The club could also revert to Article 17 by FIFA which gives the winger the option to break his contract with no just cause once he finishes his third year at the club this summer, according to reports from Spanish newspaper ‘Mundo Deportivo’.
It is unclear if Barcelona plan on using this option because the move could be very costly. The club would have to pay some compensation and it could take several months to complete.
Messi is under contract with Barcelona until June 2021 and local media report the club are working to keep him at the club with an offer of a 50 million EUR (45.46 million GBP) net salary until June 2023.
His current contract reportedly allows the Argentine forward to opt-out at the end of every season, potentially allowing him to leave Barcelona for free.
Another move that may affect the bid for Neymar is Barcelona’s potential acquisition of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, 22, a move that could reportedly include Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, 32, who has struggled for playing time at the Camp Nou.
La Liga is currently under suspension due to COVID-19 which has greatly affected Spain with a reported 9,942 confirmed cases and 342 deaths due to the virus.
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