Neymar Transfer News - Brazilian superstar expected to return to Barcelona

Mat Marshall

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Last updated: 17 Oct 2019

Mat Marshall 17 Oct 2019

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Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona for €222m in 2017

Brazilian superstar Neymar moved to the Parc des Princes on August 4, 2017 following his world record 222 million euro transfer from Barcelona to PSG.

Neymar shocked the world in 2017 when he left Barcelona for PSG. The Catalan club had paid Santos €88 for Neymar in 2013, the French giants activating his release clause of €222m in August 2017 with the superstar moving to Paris.

Two years later Neymar was on the verge of a move back to Barcelona, but the clubs couldn't come to terms before the end of the 2019 summer transfer window. Betfair still have Neymar favourite to move back to Barca but it's unlikely too happen before the 2020 summer transfer window.

Neymar Club After January 2020 Transfer Window Betting Odds

With PSG requiring Neymar in their quest to win the UEFA Champions League, a move in the 2020 winter transfer window seems unlikely.

Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona could call off the deal due to PSG's asking price and the emergence of 16-year-old Ansu Fati who plays in Neymar's position. The Catalans may also prioritise a replacement for striker Luis Suarez who turns 33 in January.

Real Madrid could possibly scupper Barcelona's deal with Juventus also in the mix. Neymar was apparently willing to go to Real Madrid, but Los Blancos would not match Paris Saint-Germain’s asking price and the French club were not interested in a cash plus players deal involving Gareth Bale and James Rodríguez.

Odds from Betfair and correct on 17 October 2019:

Neymar Club After January 2020 Transfer Window	Odds
PSG	1.11
Barcelona	3.75
Real Madrid	13.00
Juventus	26.00

Source: Betfair

Neymar Profile

Neymar was born in São Paulo, Brazil and began his football career at Portuguesa Santista's youth team. In 2003 he and his family moved to Santos, where Neymar joined Santos FC.

At 17 Neymar signed a professional contract and was promoted to the Santos first team. He helped Santos win two successive Campeonato Paulista Championships, a Copa do Brasil, and the 2011 Copa Libertadores.

Neymar was named South American Footballer of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and was heavily linked with a move to Europe. He played for Santos against Barcelona in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final where the Spanish club won 4-0, and it appeared only a matter of time before he would move to Catalonia.

The move was completed in July 2013 for €88.2 million. Neymar would help Barcelona achieve plenty of success including two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey's, one Supercopa de España, one UEFA Champions League title and the following FIFA Club World Cup.

Neymar formed a devastating attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez and came third in the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or. It appeared a long and successful stay at Barcelona was on the horizon for the Brazilian, but in 2017 he became the most expensive player in football history when he transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in a move worth €222 million.

He helped PSG win the domestic treble in his first season in Paris and won Ligue 1 again in 2018-19. Neymar's second season with PSG was marred by controversy however as he missed crucial portions of the season with various injuries.

The 2018-19 season ended with Neymar trying to force a move back to Barcelona with his father and agent saying: "Negotiations between the two clubs are not yet finished, a Brazilian only wants to be where he is happy and he was very happy in Barcelona. When his friends asked him if he wants to come back, he was moved.”

Barça board member Javier Bordas was hopeful Neymar would return in the 2019 summer transfer window, saying: “As long as he wants to come, we will do everything that we can for him to join us. He is an extraordinary player and wants to come to Barça. He didn’t adapt to Paris, he made a mistake. He said that himself.”

Lionel Messi was reportedly happy to welcome Neymar back to Barcelona, saying: “I only wish that I can play together with him once again. That’s all. What I know is that he would have been happy to move and come to Barcelona.”

Time will tell but not many clubs in the world can afford Neymar's transfer fee or wages. In 2019 Forbes ranked Neymar as the world's third highest-paid athlete after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.