Ivan Rakitić key for Barcelona to bring Neymar - report

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The Croatian would have to go to PSG

Ivan Rakitić is key for Barcelona to bring Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Diario SPORT. Barça would take Ney on loan, but with an obligatory buy clause that comes into effect next season. And in order for the deal to go through, Rakitić would go the other way, resulting in a lowered fee for Barça to pay.

The final approval comes down to PSG, but Barça think the only way to get it done is if a player goes the other way, per the report. It is said that only two players that interest the Parisians are the Croatian and Ousmane Dembélé.

Rumor has it that Rakitić was approached by PSG last season, and he had agreed a possible move, before he was ultimately convinced by Ernesto Valverde not to leave. However, this year, we are hearing that Rakitić has turned down the offer from PSG to join them, despite a big salary increase, a decision which could complicate things.

The other possibility is for Rakitić to be sold to another team, with Barça using that money to pay in part for Neymar. Serie A clubs such as Inter Milan have been linked with a move for Rakitić.

If Rakitić were to approve an exit operation, then perhaps Neymar would truly become a Barcelona player again. SPORT says it’s getting close, but this could prove a roadblock.

Source: barcablaugranes.com