Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ned Keating

Arsenal and Tottenham given transfer boost by La Liga rule involving Neymar return

Arsenal and Tottenham have been handed a transfer boost by Neymar's seemingly-imminent return to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The Brazil international is widely expected to head back to the Camp Nou in the coming weeks, two years on from leaving the Spanish giants to make a world-record switch to the French capital.

The return of the 27-year-old, though, presents the La Liga heavyweights with a potential conundrum involving three members of their current squad.

As per La Liga rules, the five-time European champions are allowed no more than three non-EU players in their 25-man first-team roster that they must submit for use in the league.

Neymar's return to Barcelona may cause the Spanish club a potential headache (AFP/Getty Images)

With Chile's Arturo Vidal and Brazilian pair Malcom and Arthur already on Barcelona's books, Neymar's return is set to cause the Spanish club a headache.

It means boss Ernesto Valverde will likely move at least one of that trio on this summer to accommodate Neymar, and AS report that could be welcome news for Arsenal and Tottenham.

Barcelona's favoured option is believed to be letting Malcom join a new club and reports suggest the winger has been offered to the two North London rivals among other teams.

The 22-year-old arrived from Bordeaux last summer in a deal worth €41m, but has struggled to make an impact in his time at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have reportedly offered Malcom to other clubs to accommodate Neymar's return (Getty Images)

The La Liga outfit know they may struggle to recoup what they paid for the Brazilian, who scored just four goals in 24 games last term.

Should Barca struggle to find any willing takers for Malcom, Vidal may be next in line for a move with Inter Milan interested in the Chile international, who has also been linked with a big-money move to China.

Arthur, meanwhile, is a close friend of Neymar and is likely to remain with the Catalan titans as he looks to build on a solid, if unspectacular, first season in Spain.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.