Tag: Neymar

Barcelona boss says the club have moved on from Neymar speculation

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Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has said that he does not want to comment on the Neymar transfer saga any further and it is time to turn the page. The Brazil international was heavily tipped to rejoin the Blaugrana from Paris Saint-Germain this summer but a deal did not materialise with Les Parisiens demanding as much as £270m for the attacker. Neymar has since made his comeback with Les Parisiens and Valverde believes the media should move on from the speculation, he told in a press conference: “We’ve spoken about Neymar before, during and after the market and it’s time to turn the page.”

Neymar recently made his comeback for Les Parisiens during the league game against Strasbourg and he received a frosty reception from the home fans, who booed him throughout the encounter. Nonetheless, he was able to silence some of them with a stunning overhead kick to score an injury-time winner and he has since said that he is committed to the cause of the club.

Barcelona, on the other hand, have experienced a mixed beginning to the current campaign and they have accumulated just seven points from the opening four matches. That tally sees them three points behind league leaders Sevilla, who have been splendid at the back with just one goal conceded to date.

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Xavi believes Barcelona would find it ‘very difficult’ to re-sign Neymar

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Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has said that the Blaugrana would find it very difficult to reacquire the services of Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazil international made the switch to the French champions from the Camp Nou two years ago but reports have indicated that he would prefer to make a comeback ahead of next season.

Speaking to Movistar, Xavi said that Neymar remains one of the best players in the world and it would be an incredible signing for the Spanish champions. However, he added that the deal won’t come easy with Les Parisiens likely to demand in upwards of £200m for the former Santos graduate, he told: “He would be an incredible signing. But I see it as being difficult, honestly. I think it’s very difficult. We have seen so many things that I thought I’d never see though, such as PSG paying €222million, so we’ll have to wait. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the best players in the world, but let’s see what Barcelona do.”

Barcelona are currently not in a position to sanction a world-record fee for the attacker, considering they are set to pursue Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid for around £108m. As such, reports have suggested that they may discuss an exchange deal whereby there is no money involved for the transfer agreement.

The Blaugrana have made no mention regarding the same but reports suggest that Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele could be offered as makeweights to land the services of the Brazilian attacker. Barcelona have been a dominant force through La Liga over the years and last season saw them win the title with a comfortable 11-point gap.

They, however,have not been able to replicate the same at the European scale and have not won the Champions League since the 2014/15 season. That period saw the prime of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on the playing field and the supporters could witness a reunion of the attacking trident this summer.

Barcelona director does not want Neymar to join Real Madrid

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Barcelona director Javier Bordas believes Neymar is not entirely happy with his stay with Paris Saint-Germain but he would not fancy the prospect of watching the attacker in the colours of Real Madrid. The 26-year-old made the world-record switch from Camp Nou to Parc des Princes last summer but this has not ceased the speculation over his future.

Speaking to reporters, Bordas suggested that Neymar may have not settled following his record move to the French capital, but he would still not want him to join arch-rivals Real Madrid in the near future. He said: “Neymar can sign for anyone. For me, personally, I’m not dreaming of Neymar signing for Real Madrid. It seems as if he’s not happy in Paris, we figured as much. In Barcelona he was doing well and Neymar regrets having left [for PSG]. I saw the Europa League final.”
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Jordi Alba feels he is better off without Neymar

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Spain international Jordi Alba has said that he is enjoying himself at Barcelona following Neymar’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. The Brazil international made a shock choice to join the French giants in August after triggered the £198m release clause in his contract.

Initial suggestions were Barcelona would struggle in the absence of their key attack, but they have come out in flying colours in this season’s La Liga with Alba being one of their influential players. Alba is currently joint top of the assist charts with four alongside skipper Lionel Messi, and he appears to be enjoying life under new coach Ernesto Valverde.
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