Barça, PSG fail to close Neymar deal, talks will continue - report

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This is not a done deal just yet

It’s not happening yet, people. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have yet to agree a deal for the return of Neymar to Camp Nou after a four-hour meeting in the French capital, according to reports from ESPN and Spanish radio Onda Cero.

Barça’s offer reportedly involves the payment of 100 million euros plus the permanent moves of Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic to the Parc des Princes, but PSG sporting director Leonardo and manager Thomas Tuchel do not want Rakitic. Leonardo tried to include Ousmane Dembélé and Nélson Semedo, but Barça director Éric Abidal said both players are untouchable.

Even though no deal was agreed after Tuesday’s meeting, the feeling remains positive between both sides. Mundo Deportivo says Barça saw this as a step in the right direction but never a decisive movement, and now it’s up to president Josep Maria Bartomeu who will meet with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during an event in Liverpool on Thursday.

Maybe Bartomeu wanted Abidal to make the initial approach so he can close the deal himself on his terms, and that might be what happens Thursday. It looks like we’ll have to wait a few more days for this to end, but it looks like the ending is near. For better or worse.

Source: barcablaugranes.com