Neymar-Leonardo: High tension in Paris

Neymar Jr. and Paris Saint-Germain's sporting director Leonardo will meet for the first time on Monday since the latter returned to the role this summer. The meeting will be marked by tension. Neymar will use the meeting to strengthen his desire to leave the club: he wants to return to Barcelona this summer and his position is non-negotiable, even if he has three years left on his contract at the club controlled by Qatar Sports Investments.

It's a strong hand, all or nothing. Ney's posture is the same as he translated to the club at the end of May, when he left France to join up with the Brazilian national team for the Copa America. Since then, 50 days ago, contact between PSG and Barça have not thrown up an agreement. 

Everyone involved believes the saga will drag on for several more weeks and could even go until the final day of the transfer window. The meeting between Neymar and Leonardo, in Paris, is the latest chapter, in which the forward and PSG will state their positions. 

Leonardo, who has replaced Antero Henrique, has played a strong hand, too, as demanded by PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi in his interview with France Football in June -- "no more star treatment -- by promising to discipline Neymar for not returning for training last week. 

Neymar's father hit back, saying it was agreed that his son would return a week later. The war of words between Neymar Sr. and Leonardo has heated things up. There's not a good relationship between Neymar and Leonardo, even though they are both Brazilian. They have only spoken by telephone this summer. There has been no gesture from Leonardo to convince him to stay. 

Pino Zahavi, in the name of Neymar, has spent weeks negotiating with PSG now, becoming an ally of Barcelona's interest this time. He's trying to negotiate a complicated deal because the Catalans need to improve players to bring the price down. Without the departure of various players from Ernesto Valverde's squad, there's no room -- on the pitch or on thee age bill -- for Neymar. 

PSG have their first friendly of the season on Tuesday in Germany, against Dynamo Dresden. They will travel on the day of the game but Neymar is not likely to make the trip. 

On Monday, he could catch up with his coach, Thomas Tuchel, who he has a professional relationship with. He told him in May of his desire to return to Barcelona. As much as the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach would like to have his squad sorted by now, he's aware his hands are tied and the decision regarding Neymar depends on Al-Khelaifi. Neymar has recovered from the injury which kept him out of the Copa America and could train with PSG. "I am almost 100 percent recovered," he said on Saturday in Brazil. 

If he starts work under Tuchel -- something not yet confirmed -- he will do so without the protection he has had during his two years in France. Dani Alves has not renewed his contract and has left the club, while Brazil internationals Thiago Silva and Marquinhos are not yet back in training following their victory in the Copa America on July 7.