Is there an open door for Neymar at Barcelona?
Josep Maria Bartomeu may look to amend his view on the Brazilian's return to Camp Nou after PSG president Al Khelaifi's recent comments.
Neymar Jr left Barcelona in the summer of 2017 moving to PSG in exchange for 222 million euro making the Brazilian the most expensive player in history. Despite Barça club president Josep Maria Bartomeu insinuating at the time that the Brazilian's chapter with the Catalan club had come to an end, that situation could see a u-turn after PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi's recent declaration staring: "If someone isn't happy here, then the door is open" which contrasts with the 'closed door' policy on every occasion the Catalan side have tried to pursue a player from the Parisian side with Thiago Silva, Marquinhos or Verratti recent examples.
Long shot
Barcelona reuniting with Neymar is still something of a long shot but Al Khelaifi's comments suggest that the thought of seeing the Brazilian wearing the famous navy and claret is not such a tall order.
Around the Catalan club, there is a pro-Neymar lobby with the likes of Rexach, Jordi Cruyff or Edmilson all stating how they feel the return of the Brazilian would be a positive step. Neymar still maintains a wonderful relationship with the bulk of the current Barcelona first team squad and many were instrumental in attempting him to keep him at the LaLiga side in the month of July at pre-season before his move was finally confirmed on August 3rd.
Neymar himself has shown signs of missing life at Barça and has been a regular at get various informal meetings by squad members at Castelldefels and has been seen on many times at the club's Ciutat Esportiva training centre with current head coach Valverde joking that he was 'tired' of seeing Neymar hanging around the dressing room. The player's inner Brazilian circle have also revealed that despite Neymar not closing the door on a potential move to Real Madrid, his strong desire is a return to FC Barcelona.
Miami 2017
It remains to be seen if Barça will actively pursue the Brazlian in what would be a complex operation and any deal would inevitably see the likes of Coutinho, Dembélé, Umtiti or Rakitic moving the other way. A return for the Brazilian to Barcelona would certainly be frowned upon by some in Bartomeu's board of directors but the thought of seeing 'the prodigal son' wearing the Barcelona shirt again would would heal the wounds for many of those who still remember the Miami night in July 2017 when Neymar wore the azul-grana shirt for the last time.