Barcelona have been put in an awkward place by Neymar s revelation that he wants to play with Lionel Messi next season, with presidential candidate Joan Laporta unsurprised by the Brazilian s comments.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, who left Barcelona when his buy-out clause of €222million was met three years ago, made his stunning comments after scoring twice at Manchester United on Wednesday.
He told ESPN: What I want most is to play with Messi again. I want to play with him. I ll let him play in my position if he wants! Next year, we have to play together, for sure.
Barcelona s finances, hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, are such that launching a big-money bid to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou appears out of the question.
Messi s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and after being refused permission to leave just a few months ago, there are concerns the Argentinian will again seek to find a new home.
PSG could become an option, should Messi be as keen to reunite with Neymar as the Brazilian is to be reacquainted with his former Barca team-mate.
Candidates for the presidency are unlikely to dismiss out of hand the prospect of Neymar returning to Barcelona, given that making such a statement might prove unpopular, while they are also sure to handle carefully the hot topic that is Messi s future.
Laporta, a former Barca president seeking a return to office, suggested Neymar s remarks were nothing out of the ordinary.
It is normal for him to say it, they are friends and have an established understanding between them. This relationship is normal, Laporta told Catalunya Radio.
I hope that Leo can wait and listen to the proposal of the new Barcelona president.
