Neymar pushing for a return to Barcelona ‘every year’ – report

Neymar Jr left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 hoping to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow after the French outfit activated his €222 million release clause.

His career, however, began on a downward spiral ever since. The Brazilian has been trapped in a vicious cycle of injuries and poor form at the club and is far from the best version he showed as a Blaugrana.

According to reports from Fernando Polo, Neymar has offered himself to Barcelona every summer after his move to PSG hoping for a return to Spain. 

However, the move has understandably not worked out because of a combination of sporting and financial factors.

This summer too, the Brazilian is said to be back at Barcelona’s doorstep in the hope of a return home.

However, Xavi Hernandez is clear that his signing does not suit the Azulgranas and that Neymar’s time in garnet-and-blue is finished.

An immature decision

Earlier this week, Brazilian superagent Andre Cury spoke about Neymar’s departure from Barcelona and how several members close to the player had advocated for him against leaving the club.

“I think he left because of what happened after the 6-1 match against PSG. Neymar had won that game practically alone and on the front pages of the next day, the one who came out was Lionel Messi.

“He didn’t want to compete with Leo because he loves him very much. From there all his friends told him that he was going to be wrong [if he left Barcelona], that in two months he was going to ask to come back, but you won’t be able to.”

An economic misfit

Barcelona are set to lose one of their biggest players to PSG once again this summer with Ousmane Dembele standing at the exit door. 

While Neymar would be a natural fit, his signing no longer aligns with the Catalans’ requirements.

Joan Laporta and co no longer have the economic bandwidth to accommodate players of his stature.

Neymar’s salary alone stands at close to €36 million per season, and it is clear that he cannot fit on their wage roster.

Moreover, at 31 years of age, his signing would not be in line with the administration’s goal of building a young core for the future.