Barcelona to make another attempt to sign PSG star Neymar

Barcelona are back being linked with Brazilian Neymar after he refused to take a pay cut.

The former Barcelona star Neymar will not be taking a pay cut at PSG despite the fear for club owners over budget due to the corona virus pandemic and will look to leave France according to a  Sports report.

Paris Saint-Germain board wanted a 70% salary reduction, which is said to be rejected by the likes of Neymar, Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani, Juan Bernat, and Ander Herrera. Neymar was close to joining Barcelona last summer although both parties couldn’t agree to a contract.

Neymar is the third-highest goalscorer for his national team with 61 goals in 101 matches.In 2017, Neymar was added by Time in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. in 2019, Forbes ranked him the world’s third highest-paid athlete and footballer.

Neymar previously signed for Barcelona in 2013 after winning the Confederations Cup with Brazil. The 2014-15 season was his statement season where he went onto win the treble with Barcelona and several individual awards.

He finished the season with 39 goals in all competitions and 10 in the Champions League, making him joint top scorers with Ronaldo and Messi. He hit the third goal for Barcelona in the 3–1 Champions League against Juventus at Berlin, helping the club secure its fifth European Cup.

This made Barcelona the premier club in history to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup twice. Barcelona’s front trio of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, was called “MSN”, ending with a combined 122 goals.

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He was also the hero of the 6–1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016–17 Champions League round of 16, scoring two decisive goals and assisting the ultimate goal by Sergi Roberto. PSG immediately triggered €222 million release clause of his contract, which became the most expensive transfer fee, and he went onto win the domestic treble in the first season.

But he was not able to improve PSG’s Champions League fortunes. He has scored 47 goals in 52 appearances with the majority of three seasons plagued with injuries. This CL season PSG defeated Dortmund in a 3-2 aggregate comeback where he scored a header from a corner and assisted Bernat’s goal. He won his third French title after PSG were awarded the Ligue 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Barca President Rosell who signed him from Santos in 2013 recently stated that Neymar is the second-best player in the world ahead of Ronaldo and only behind Messi fitting Barca’s philosophy as well.

Can The Blaugranes get back their heir to Messi?