This summer just wasn’t meant to be for Neymar and Barcelona…
So, the love story continues to progress. Admit it, we all thought that Neymar would return to Barcelona this summer. The Catalans were probing the Parisians, waiting for them to budge but they didn’t. Now, it seems likely that Neymar will not be re-joining his former side this summer.
According to ESPN, Barcelona have parted ways with their hopes of signing Neymar this summer. Instead, they report, Barca will return in the hopes for a reunion in the next summer transfer window. Of course, if he were to sign in the January window then he would probably be cup-tied in Europe so it is best to wait.
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La Liga teams have until tonight in order to complete any transfer business. However, it may be a stress-free night for Barcelona fans. They can still relax knowing they completed some good transfer business in the opening stages of the window.
Antoine Griezmann signed early on and, in my eyes, he is the best signing of the summer. They also signed Frenkie de Jong to bolster the midfield. Both signings have shown impressive signs during their early stages in Catalunya.
Barcelona have gotten off to a shaky start in La Liga. They lost their opening game to Athletic Bilbao before going on to humiliate Real Betis. However, they were recently held to a stalemate against Osasuna.
Fans thought this would motivate the board into a last-minute push for Neymar, however, Ernesto Valverde has decided to make do with what he’s got. I’m certain he will be pushing his first-team regulars to work harder in training, especially with the likes of Ansu Fati knocking on the door.
Neymar is one of the best players in the world so he would have definitely improved this Barcelona side. Fans need no reassurance of this. However, waiting until next summer to sign him may be best. It will give Valverde time to work out an attacking philosophy which can include Neymar, Lionel Messi, Griezmann and Luis Suarez all together.
Do you think Neymar will return to Barcelona at any point in his career?