Neymar ‘real possibility’ of shock Barcelona return next summer for £153m with star paying part of transfer fee
NEYMAR is ready to pay around £17million of his OWN transfer fee to secure his dream £153million move back to Barcelona, according to reports.
It is a "real possibility" that the Brazilian talisman could make a shock Nou Camp return next summer, it has been claimed.
They realise PSG's Qatari owners will stand firm in January, with the French club still in the hunt for Champions League success.
But after June 30, the window will re-open.
Neymar will be 28 then and three-fifths of a way through his Paris contract.
PSG do not have a termination clause in his deal so a transfer could be struck for around £150m.
It would mean Barca paying around £130m, with Neymar stumping up around £17m out of his own pocket.
It would be worth it for the Brazilian, who allegedly does not like life in the French capital.
French defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic could be part of this deal, claim Sport.
The Catalans will bide their time though, as they know there is clear animosity from Paris's billionaire owners after their previous failed attempts to bring back their favourite.
But the key to any transfer will be Nasser Al-Khelaifi of the Qatar Sports Investments, owner of the French club.
Barca have worked hard to remove any Financial Fair Play obstacles to re-signing Neymar.
And Barca's technical secretary Eric Abidal admitted Neymar was being watched by scouts.
He said: "We always follow top players, their fitness and how the season is going, each market is different, but we never discard it."
While a Barca source said: "The name of Ney is considered as one possible signing of draft for a summer in which much more radical decisions will have to be made and in the sectors of the team."
Nou Camp chiefs will re-evaluate the situation next year, but a summer pursuit seems very likely.
A three-pronged attack of £107m Antoine Greizmann, Lionel Messi and Neymar is a mouthwatering prospect as Barca make a first Champions League win since 2015 their top priority.
TARGET FOR ABUSE FROM FANS
The Brazilian was the target of abuse from fans' songs and banners back in August.
They told him to "f*** off" and labelled him a "son of a b****".
Neymar was left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad initially.
He has since been reintegrated but has played only five league games and not made a single appearance in the Champions League this term - compounded by his injury last month.
His season was hit by a hamstring injury playing for Brazil in Singapore in mid-October, but he is now close to a return.
Neymar has worked hard to get the Paris fans off his back.
He said: I’m very happy to be able to help PSG. It’s better with the fans.
“It’s like with your girlfriend, one moment you’re bad, but with hugs and a lot of love, it’s better.
“I am here to give my life to PSG. They are my team, the goal is to help my club, to continue to score goals."
But a return to Catalonia, and the club he first joined from Santos in 2013 is growing increasingly likely next summer, three years after his record transfer.
However, it may cost him a pretty penny if he wants to return to the place where he was idolised by fans.
Barca's former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has even claimed Nou Camp stars were willing to take a pay cut to get Neymar back at the club.
The Brazilian allegedly believes his spell in France is stifling his career, and his snub from the Ballon d'Or shortlist suggests that is the case.
Real Madrid have also been linked with the striker.