Lionel Messi still wants Neymar at Barcelona

Latest indications have shown that Lionel Messi is likely to extend his stay at Barcelona as L’Équipe reported that six times world footballer of the year is continuing to attempt to convince PSG star Neymar to return to the Catalan giant.

This might be some of the reasons why Neymar is yet to put pen to paper for another deal that has been on the table at the French Ligue 1 club. There had been rumours that he could play Les Parisiens to run down his contract and later leave as a free agent.

Recall that Neymar had made an attempt to leave the club two seasons ago, which led to a backlash between him and some fams before things returned to normal.

There has also been reported progress concerning a new contract with the club, with Neymar confirming his willingness to stay further than 2022 with the club. If not for COVID-19, Les Parisiens would have wrapped up the extension talks with the 29-year-old last year. They are trying to talk Neymar into taking a pay cut like some of his colleagues. The Brazillian felt this was unjustified, profiting from the uncertainty around Kylian Mbappé’s situation.

According to the current deal, the Brazilian has reached an agreement to earn a similar amount he is earning with an extension that he has yet to sign. The contract has enormous legal challenges because of many clauses. The deal is not ready to be signed yet, but the essential terms have been agreed upon.

The latest development is that Barcelona has continued to approach Neymar, to the irritation of PSG after failing to land him in a player exchange arrangement in 2019.

This s following the recent Barcelona presidential campaign, where several candidates promised to do everything they could to bring Neymar back.

Media reports also said Messi has been pressurizing both Neymar and Luis Suarez to return. This means the 33-year-old is more likely to sign a new deal with Barcelona following Joan Laporta’s election as president.

However, Barca might not be able to afford a deal this summer as they are already languishing in debts of €1.173bn.  The Catalan club can only sign free agents. Lyon striker Memphis Depay could be joining the club in the summer as he will become a free agent.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed