Barcelona set terms for Neymar’s return

Barcelona are reportedly weighing the possibility of a reunion with Brazilian forward Neymar Junior, but before any move can be made, the club has set a challenge for the 33-year-old star. According to reports from Sport, the Blaugrana have informed Neymar that they would only consider re-signing him if he manages to score 15 goals during his time at Santos, his current club, before they would entertain the idea of bringing him back to Camp Nou.

The forward, who has been at Santos since returning to Brazil, has made a notable impact, scoring three goals and providing three assists in just seven appearances for the club. However, with his contract set to expire this summer, Neymar is on track to potentially be a free agent, which opens up the possibility for Barcelona to pursue him as a low-cost signing. Despite this, the club is reportedly eager to see him reach the 15-goal mark as a sign of his fitness and form before taking the next steps toward a potential deal.

Neymar’s agent, Andre Cury, who has longstanding ties to Barcelona, has expressed confidence in the possibility of Neymar returning to the Catalan club. Speaking to RAC1, Cury stated, “You know he should never have left, and if there is a chance, he would be delighted to return. If the club decides to go after him, his return is feasible.” This comment signals that Neymar is open to a potential return to Barcelona and is enthusiastic about rejoining the team, should the opportunity arise.

Barcelona has been on the lookout for a left winger to bolster their attacking options, with previous links to players like Nico Williams, as well as potential interest in Rafael Leão and Luis Díaz. However, the club’s financial constraints have made a move for Neymar increasingly attractive, given his possible free-agent status and relatively low potential transfer cost compared to other high-profile targets. The club’s limited financial resources will likely play a significant role in determining whether they pursue Neymar or opt for other alternatives in the upcoming transfer window.

In recent years, Neymar has struggled with injuries, with the Brazilian star missing a significant portion of 2023 and 2024 due to a serious cruciate ligament injury. His injury woes have raised questions about his ability to maintain his elite level of performance, which could be a concern for Barcelona as they weigh the risks of re-signing him. Moreover, Barcelona’s salary cap issues add another layer of complexity, meaning the club will closely monitor Neymar’s fitness and form at Santos to determine whether he is a viable option for a move back to Barcelona this summer.