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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Ben Hayward

Neymar transfer negotiations at 'advanced' stage as Barcelona work to beat Real Madrid to PSG star

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has revealed that negotiations to sell Neymar are at advanced stage.

The Brazilian forward wants to leave the French champions this summer and Leonardo has previously said he can depart if the right offer is received.

"Conversations are more advanced than before," Leonardo told journalists in Paris on Saturday. "But there is no agreement [yet]. We want a clear line on the matter and it's important to define it as soon as possible."

Leonardo was speaking prior to coach Thomas Tuchel's press conference ahead of Sunday's game against Nimes in Ligue 1, which Neymar will miss due to concerns over his fitness.

"He didn't finish the training session and he hasn't had a full week with the group," Tuchel said.

It is conceivable that the Brazilian will not play again for Paris Saint-Germain after two injury-hit seasons since his world-record €222m move from Barcelona in 2017.

Leonardo did not reveal which club is in pole position for Neymar's sugnature, but the player favours a return to Barca and out in Michigan, Standard Sport understands president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been working hard to put together a deal.

Barca are wary of the threat posed by Real Madrid and the latest reports indicate the Catalans could offer Philippe Coutinho and Nelson Semedo plus €50m in cash to tempt PSG into selling the Brazilian.

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