Neymar’s absence from a club event has further fueled transfer speculation.
“Neymar and Marco Verratti missed Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) last training session and were not invited to the media day for the official photo shoot,” French journalist Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport reported on Tuesday. Coach Luis Enrique and president Luis Campos have informed the two players that they are not expected this season,” the report said.
“Both players have been training indoors. Both are believed to have contracted a mild virus. Kylian Mbappe also did not take part in the media day. Enrique and Campos told the five players – Neymar, Verratti, Henato Sanchez, Hugo Ekiti and Juan Bernat – that they are not part of PSG and that they must find a solution elsewhere.”
It was effectively a release notice. “These players are even being asked to leave the club this summer,” the outlet continued. The players were not invited to the official photo shoot. It should be noted, of course, that a second official photo shoot is scheduled.”
The possibility of Neymar leaving the club has been circulating since the 8th. French newspaper L’Equipe reported on the 8th that “Neymar wants to leave PSG. PSG’s Neymar has told the club’s management that he wants to leave Paris this summer.”
European football news reporter Fabrizio Romano also said, “It’s no secret. Neymar wants to return to Barcelona. It’s always in his mind. Neymar is ready. But there is still a long way to go. Barcelona knows the terms of the deal, the salary and the player’s intentions. It’s up to Barcelona to decide whether he signs the contract or not.”
Neymar began his career with Brazilian side Santos in 2009 and quickly became a highly sought-after prospect beyond his home country. His performances attracted the attention of Barcelona, and he arrived at Camp Nou in 2013. Neymar’s flamboyant skills also translated to the Spanish La Liga. In his first season at the club, Neymar scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists, making him one of the team’s key attackers.
He formed an MSN line with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and became an integral part of Barcelona’s attack. In four seasons, Neymar won 10 trophies, including two La Liga titles, one UEFA UCL title, and three Copa del Rey titles, and established himself as a world-class player.
But Neymar had other dreams. He was looking for a team where he could be the centre of attention, and PSG were interested in him. At the time, PSG paid a whopping €220 million transfer fee for Neymar. At PSG, Neymar was the spearhead of the attack. In 173 appearances over the past six seasons, he scored 118 goals and provided 77 assists, winning five Ligue 1 titles and the Coupe de France three times.
But last season, there was dissonance. It was reported that PSG wanted to build a team around Kylian Mbappe and eventually sell Neymar due to his high weekly wages. However, the sale did not go through as Neymar wanted to stay.
At the start of the season, Neymar was in sensational form. He scored seven goals and provided six assists in the month of August. However, he has been plagued by injuries this season and hasn’t been able to help the team when it matters. At the end of February, Neymar suffered an ankle injury that put him out for the season.
PSG fans were furious. Some PSG fans, angered by Messi’s trip to Saudi Arabia in May, turned to Neymar’s home to protest. The fans were frustrated with the player’s underperformance and frequent injuries. While Neymar is at his best when he’s on the pitch each season, the fact that he only plays around 20 league games each season has led to a growing frustration among fans.
However, Neymar was in good spirits at training ahead of the new season. He and Lee Kang-in trained together with a smile on their faces, raising the expectations of the fans. In particular, his ‘bromance’ with Lee Kang-in attracted the attention of many fans.
Neymar and Lee were seen sitting next to each other on a bed receiving a massage. Neymar and Lee were also seen hugging in a training session together.
The chemistry continued on the Japan tour. During their pre-season tour of Japan, Lee sat right next to Neymar and spent time together. PSG organised a cultural experience during the tour. According to a video released on the 24th of last month, Lee spent time with Neymar at a tea ceremony and making okonomiyaki.
On the training pitch, the pair were also seen joking around and quickly bonding. During a training session on the 31st of last month, Lee joked around with Neymar and even kicked him in the bum, indicating that they had become very close.
Lee and Neymar watched the game on the bench together against Inter Milan on the 1st, and their antics were the talk of the town. When Neymar touched Lee’s bangs, Lee laughed and rejected the touch. In response, Neymar burst out laughing, his face full of mischief.
It was a dream moment for the two players to share the field. On the 3rd, PSG faced off against Jeonbuk Hyundai. Neymar started and played the full game, while Lee came on as a 24th-minute substitute. It was a short time, but it was significant as it was the first time the two players had played together.
However, ahead of the start of the season, news broke that Neymar wanted to leave the club. It is understood that the club had told Neymar that it was not in their plans. “PSG’s intention to part ways with Neymar is nothing new,” Hawkins said. Even his performance in the trial against Jeonbuk didn’t turn the tide.”온라인바카라
Barcelona has been mentioned as the first destination. However, a move to Barcelona is by no means a done deal. The club’s ongoing “financial problems” have not been resolved. The club is in such a bad financial situation that they haven’t even registered their summer signing, Ilkay Gundogan. There has even been talk of activating a new lever to free up cash.
It’s clear that signing Neymar in this situation would be very difficult. For PSG, it would be difficult to sell a player who cost them a whopping €222 million for a pittance. PSG also have a €250 million price tag on Kylian Mbappe, who has one year left on his contract. So, Neymar’s move to Barcelona is a long shot.
Chelsea have also been mentioned. The Blues have a huge amount of money after the arrival of owner Todd Boeli, and Mauricio Pochettino is in charge of the team. However, “Pochettino does not want a reunion with Neymar,” according to the British Evening Standard’s Nasser Kinsella on 8 August.
In the end, there are only two destinations. Saudi Arabia, which has been building up its squad in the wake of the recent Cristiano Ronaldo transfer, or the American Major League Soccer (MLS), which has been receiving a lot of interest since the Lionel Messi transfer. It will be interesting to see what Neymar chooses.