Barcelona Return To Neymar Signing Attempts In Griezmann Swap Deal Following Humiliating Bayern Loss

FC Barcelona have turned their attention back towards trying to sign Neymar, according to a report.

Having previously called off the operation due to financial restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the Catalans have been forced to reconsider an attempt to bring the Brazilian to the Camp Nou again after he left them for PSG in 2017.

These developments are of course a knee-jerk reaction to the Blaugrana’s worst European night in history at the weekend. Hammered 8-2 by favorites Bayern Munich, Quique Setien’s men crashed out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage once more prompting an emergency meeting to be held at 11.00 AM local time on Monday morning by president Josep Bartomeu and members of the board.

During the sitdown, Setien’s dismissal is expected to decided in addition to who replaces him and what changes can be made to revamp the fading superclub.

Esporte Interativo journalist Marcelo Bechler sending panic through the Culer nation last night by reporting that Lionel Messi wants to leave his boyhood outfit now and not wait until his contract winds down in the summer of 2021, it has often been said that only by making big signings and presenting a strong sporting project can the Argentine be persuaded to stay.

His international teammate Lautaro Martinez had been prime target, with Bartomeu admitting as much in recent interviews to Mundo Deportivo and SPORT while all but ruling out any capture of Neymar due to a heavy impact on revenue during soccer’s recent three-month pause.

Barça backed into a corner after their first trophyless campaign since 2007/2008, however, that latter-mentioned daily newspaper alleges that Neymar has returned to the top of the shortlist.

In an attempt to lure him, then, the La Liga giants will apparently offer PSG €50-60mn ($59mn-$71mn) plus Antoine Griezmann for the Ballon d’Or hopeful’s services.

Joining from Atletico Madrid for €120mn ($142mn) just a year ago, the Frenchman has struggled to settle in Catalonia and has been benched for key games such as Friday’s annihilation.

With just under four weeks until the Spanish top flight kicks off as the transfer window remains open until October, it seems the Barça-Neymar will-he-won’t-he soap opera is ready to get its third season underway.