Paris Saint-Germain marquee forward Neymar has reportedly agreed personal terms with Barcelona ahead of a potentially blockbuster reunion.
According to La Porteria, the 31-year-old is ready to take a pay cut to return to Spotify Camp Nou after tarnishing his relationship with the record-time Ligue 1 champions.
Despite Barca’s well-documented financial turmoil, the Catalan heavyweights have secured extra funds after selling 16% of Barca Studios, which should put around €60 million into their bank accounts.
Barcelona intend to use that money to fund the Brazil captain’s return, with PSG willing to sanction their wantaway star’s departure for as low as €40m.
That’s in part due to his excessive wages, with PSG paying him a whopping €30m per year. But he has agreed to trim his salary to €12m to facilitate his Blaugrana reunion.
Neymar became the most expensive player in football history when he swapped La Liga for the Parc des Princes in an earth-shattering €222m deal in 2017.
However, recurring injury problems and a bit lackadaisical attitude have plagued the Brazilian’s career in Paris, with Nasser Al-Khelaifi finally running out of patience with his unsettled superstar.
After falling out of favour with the club hierarchy and fans, Neymar has requested to leave PSG, influenced by Lionel Messi’s switch to Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami.
Kylian Mbappe’s long-term prospects in the French capital are as good as dead after Les Parisiens took several radical measures to force his summer exit.
Despite the 24-year-old’s unwavering desire to see out his lucrative contract, the reigning Ligue 1 holders are adamant he won’t be part of Luis Enrique’s squad next season.
With two of his favourite teammates either gone or banished, Neymar has no reason to extend his agony in Paris, handing Barcelona a decisive transfer boost.
Xavi Hernandez wouldn’t mind welcoming the skilled forward back to Spain, even though Neymar’s career in France has spiralled downwards, especially in the past two years.
Regardless of his continuous injury struggles, Neymar’s return could help Barca’s effort to raise funds thanks to his worldwide fame and significant marketing value.
