Neymar moves within Barça's range as club work on summer plans

There is caution at Barcelona about Neymar. No one has doubts that he's a fantastic player and his return would be good, but they are not certain Paris Saint-Germain will sell. Especially not to Barça. ESPN reported that the French club would be ready to let him leave for 150 million euros, but they are not aware of that information at Camp Nou. Neymar is one of the summer targets but the club are wary because of what happened last summer and will not move until they're certain of their position. 

The first step to force his exit is for him to turn down PSG's contract renewal. The French club are obsessed with keeping him until the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. They have offered a deal until 2023. The Brazilian has not responded, so the club believe he does not want to extend. And that leads to the rumours of a possible transfer. PSF are filtering in France that he is available for 150 million, although the player's entourage know nothing of that. 

Neymar's a priority for Barça but the reality is that things have cooled in recent weeks. The player's people have not been as actively pursuing a return as in the past. The Blaugrana are waiting for more news. 

What Neymar and Barça are clear on is that they have a window to leave this summer through FIFA. The player's three-year protected period will end on his contract. If Neymar takes that step and unilaterally ends his contract, FIFA are obliged to fo fix a fee. Some suggestions place the number at around 170 million euros, but there are no precedents. Barça know that route will be complicated, although it's a card to force PSG into negotiations. The best outcome, though, would be an agreement between all three parties. 

Neymar wanted to return last summer and pushed to leave Paris. There was no agreement in the end and the operation was parked. The scene is different now but Barcelona are waiting for a gesture from the player. If it comes, they would study in detail all the options they have to get him back to Catalonia without compromising the club's financial situation. It's clear that he would have to take a salary cut but he has shown willingness to do so. 

With football stopped due to coronavirus, clubs are going to be bust. Barça believe that 150 million would be an interesting figure if confirmed. Everything is being studied. But it will only move forward if there's a genuine chance of signing him. They're working on that.