OPINION: Barcelona hold the cards in Neymar deal

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Barça have to be willing to play hardball

FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have not agreed on the Neymar transfer, and the two parties have pretty disparate positions on what constitutes a good deal, according to rumors.

Mundo Deportivo writes that Barcelona are willing to offer players, but not money, for the Brazilian, while PSG want Philippe Coutinho, Nélson Semedo, and an additional amount of money. Reports differ as to what exactly Barcelona are offering and what PSG want, however. RAC1 reported that PSG value Neymar at 220 million euros, a sum that Barcelona consider “unfeasible.”

Some rumors suggest a tone of optimism that both parties will strike a deal, but until that time comes, Barça should stay firm. The truth is, the status quo is worse for the Parisians than for the Catalans.

As things stand, PSG have what seems to be an incredibly unhappy, incredibly well-paid player who is currently disliked by the fans. Barcelona want him, but they don’t really need him. Having spent so much on Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, and Luis Suárez over the years to aid Lionel Messi in attack, there doesn’t seem to be much need to add yet another attacker.

The only player Barcelona needs to move on is Coutinho, but there are other potential destinations besides Paris should the deal fall through.

Considering Neymar is nearing 28 and coming off a serious injury, there’s no real reason to accept the 222 million evaluation.

PSG can raise the spectre of Ney joining Real Madrid to try to force Barcelona’s hand, but the Catalans should stay firm. This is a deal they can walk away from pretty comfortably.

Source: barcablaugranes.com