Football
ESPN staff 7y

Barcelona will leave Neymar's decision on future up to him, his father - source

Barcelona have grown tired of the ongoing Neymar speculation and will leave a decision on the player's future up to him and his father, a source close to the Catalan club has told ESPN Deportes.

Various reports this week have linked Paris Saint-German to a possible move for the Brazilian star, who has a release clause that would allow him to end his contract at Barcelona for €222 million.

A PSG spokesperson told ESPN that a deal "is possible," while Catalunya Radio, citing a source with the French club, reported on Thursday night that the Paris club believes there exists "a high possibility to sign Neymar; a transfer is at 95 percent."

Barcelona have shown a united front in response to the transfer speculation, with club president Josep Bartomeu the latest to say on Thursday that Neymar "is not on the market."

A source said that behind the scenes, Barcelona are tired of "playing a game that they do not want to play," with Neymar yet to issue a statement dismissing the reports and thereby presenting a more fractured image.

"At Barcelona those who want to play will do so. Nothing more can be done," the source said, adding that it will be Neymar who decides where he'll play.

Neymar was also linked to a move to PSG last summer, with one of his agents saying his father met with the French club twice in June 2016, until the player himself decided to stay at Barcelona and weeks later signed a five-year extension.

Neymar posted a photo of himself with his father on Instagram on Thursday, with a caption saying: "You represent ALL my FRIENDS ... having you as a friend is one of the best things I have in my life. I love you, Dad!"

Bartomeu earlier on Thursday said financial fair play rules would make any move to trigger Neymar's release clause impossible, but Catalunya Radio reported that PSG had a plan to circumvent the restrictions by having Neymar pay the clause himself.

The station also said Neymar would be in line for a signing bonus that would exceed the €40m that Barcelona paid to ensure his signing from Santos in 2013.

^ Back to Top ^