The Neymar transfer tale has taken a stunning new twist as Barcelona claim they DON’T want him back.
Nou Camp vice-president Jordi Cardoner was quoted in the Catalan media on Thursday as saying the Paris Saint-Germain superstar is keen on a return to Catalonia.
But Cardoner also suggested he has not forgiven Neymar for leaving Barca for France in 2017 in a world record transfer fee of €222million.
It’s believed the Brazilian forward will end his discomfort with the Ligue 1 giants by hopping back across the border.
But Cardoner – perhaps playing brinkmanship – made a number of staggering assertions.
He said: "This is not the time to talk about the arrivals.
"But it’s true that Neymar wants to go back to Barcelona. However, I do not agree Barca is concerned about his signature.
"The subject is not on the table. I did not like a lot when he left.
"We did not sign anyone, we did not keep in touch with him."
Cardoner added: "It does not surprise me that Neymar wants to come back.
"This has already happened in the past – with Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Piqué.
"Certainly, Neymar is a great player, but it will also take into account the circumstances of his departure if this hypothesis (a return) must become a reality."
Despite Cardoner’s claim, it’s understood the Spanish La Liga champions do want Neymar back but PSG would only sell him for the same amount they bought the 27-year-old for.
However, Barca have a number of conditions over the proposed transfer – including Neymar takes a huge paycut and apologies for leaving in the first place.
