FC Barcelona launch final push to secure Neymar transfer

It's the moment of truth in the Neymar transfer saga. Barça are ready to present their first formal offer to PSG for the Brazilian forward. The club is determined to make a real effort to get a transfer over the line after a few days of silence. The higher-ups at Barça will attempt to find an agreement with PSG which suits all parties and brings an end to this saga.

Barça's passive approach until now was to avoid upsetting PSG, a club with whom they already have a very strained relationship. Neymar offered himself to Barcelona at the start of the summer when the original plan was to just sign Antoine Griezmann. Neymar was open to accepting a wage cut to move back to the Camp Nou and following the uncomfortable situation at PSG, the hope is the French giants will be ready to do a deal.

Super agent Pini Zahavi has worked as an intermediary in the initial negotiations. However, talks didn't progress well due to PSG's stance changing on a weekly basis. Barça believe an official offer will show PSG they are serious about signing Neymar.

THE PLAYER IS KEY

PSG have set their asking price at €180m and that's a fee Barça can't afford to match. At least not this summer. The plan remains to offer around half of that and includes a player going in the opposite direction. There are three ways PSG could respond to that offer: 1) PSG reject it and rule out a sale this summer. 2) PSG accept the offer. 3) PSG listen to the offer and open negotiations involving the two clubs' presidents.

Barça believe PSG won't shutdown talks immediately as that would create a major problem with Neymar. It could force the player into taking more serious steps in order to force a move out of the club. So far, Neymar has kept silent throughout the talk of a move to Barcelona. This could change once an official bid has been lodged. If he does that, and openly admits he wants a transfer away, it could be a defining moment in the saga.

Time is running out for both PSG and Barça. The start of the new season is edging closer and Neymar could be the person who unblocks the current impasse. This is the moment where everything becomes a little more clear. Barça are ready to show their hand.