Neymar's two routes back to Barcelona: a swap deal or for free in 2022

The chances of Neymar returning to Barcelona are low but it's not impossible. The Brazilian star is in talks over a contract renewal with Paris Saing-Germain but has been linked with Barça once again. Basically because the player himself wants to return to Camp Nou. It's a remote option, above all financially. Although there are two options that could help Neymar fulfil his dream (and that of some Barça fans).

Barça cannot pay a transfer fee, much less the €150m PSG want, for a player that is out of contract in a year. For that reason, re-signing Neymar this summer passes exclusively through a swap deal. It would mean exchanging Neymar for one of the two French forwards at the Catalan club: Antoine Griezmann or Ousmane Dembele (the latter's contract is also up in 2022). Either of the two would be fine by Barça, although it's not known if PSG would accept the offer.

The second option is for Neymar to wait a year, to not renew with PSG and to return for free in 2022. That's difficult because it carries a risk. What would happen if he got seriously injured and hasn't signed a new contract? That option would only be possible if Neymar is 100 percent driven to re-sign for Barça and is capable of holding out.

The only reality is that, at the moment, Barça aren't even speculating about the possible return of Neymar this summer. All their efforts are focused on signing an elite striker. The top target is Erling Haaland, but his price could force them to pursue a Plan B, such as Lautaro Martinez or Harry Kane.

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