Many stories reported that Neymar came to an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain regarding a move to the club from FC Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon.
Reports stated that the French club would pay the €222 million release clause for the Brazilian forward. Barcelona denies these reports, stating they are “200 percent” sure that Neymar will be back at Camp Nou next season. He signed an extension with the club last October, which keeps him at the Catalan club until 2021.
There are rumors that say Neymar is unhappy with the club because he has no close companions in the locker room. Earlier in the transfer window, the Ligue 1 team signed Dani Alves, fellow Brazilian with whom Neymar enjoyed time with at Barcelona. Along with Alves, if Neymar moved to PSG, he would join Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura, all Brazilians.
Despite the transfer rumors, Neymar is happy at Barcelona, stated club spokesman, Josep Vives, on Tuesday.
"The only thing we care is he keeps being happy here.” Vives said, per ESPN. “He played a magnificent season, and he is still one of the best in the world. He is happy in the club and the club is happy with him.”
SPORT’s website reported that Neymar fears playing under Messi’s shadow any longer. The 25-year-old doubts he will win a Ballon d’Or while playing with the Argentinian star.
If the rumors are true and Neymar departs, Barcelona could revamp their squad by pushing more money towards Marco Verratti, midfielder for PSG. There are reports that state the Italian does have an interest in Barcelona, but the Parisian club won’t move him. The Catalans will only pay up to €80 million for Verratti. The clubs must come to an agreement, however, since there is no release clause in the midfielder’s contract.
Both clubs would like to have Neymar and Verratti play for their side, but the dreams of both clubs can only be realized by one.