Is Neymar heading back to Barcelona? A look at his options

Nothing seems to be going to plan for PSG. First, they had to contend with the Kylian Mbappé bombshell, then Messi's move to Miami, and now it seems they've got another problem star on their books looking to make a big exit –Neymar Jr.

According to the newspaper L'Équipe, the Brazilian has informed his management that he wants to return to Barcelona this summer. Six years after leaving Catalonia, the winger is adamant: Barça or nothing!

However, a few hours after the publication of this information, Neymar's father and agent told PL Brazil that his son had no intention of leaving PSG.

In 2017, PSG lifted the Brazilian's release clause, amounting to 222 million euros (£190m, $241m US) A transfer which is still the largest amount ever spent on a football player.

With the ongoing negotiations and the sideling of Mbappé and the departure of Lionel Messi, Neymar was expected to be the star of the PSG show, so the latest murmurings should be cause for concern as the Parisian club could soon find themselves without any superstar names on their books.

To make matters worse, PSG manager Luis Enrique has already announced his desire to keep the Brazilian this season. The new manager is said to have been convinced by his comeback game against Jeonbuk Motors and knows the player well from their past history at Barcelona.

However, according to journalist Romain Molina, PSG has decided to separate from Neymar, as his off-field antics and temperament have caused more than a few headaches for the side. The club has apparently been weighing up their options to sell the star forward to earn back some money on his huge salary.

But the Paris club is in a complicated situation with its two star players who, according to various reports, would like to leave the club but leave them without any real option to replace them.

Another problem for Neymar and PSG: can Barça actually afford the Brazilian? The Catalan club has still not managed to register Ilkay Gündogan on the list of players to compete in La Liga and seems to be in serious financial difficulty.

However, with the possible sale of Dembélé (to PSG), that of Franck Kessié in Saudi Arabia, and the recent arrival of new funds, the Blaugranas could succeed in repatriating the prodigy, six years after his departure.

According to several sources, Neymar would be ready to make big sacrifices on his salary to join Catalonia.

Not everyone is hoping for Neymar's return to Barcelona though. The Brazilian's former team-mate and Barça's current manager Xavi would not want Neymar back on the books and has told the board just as much, apparently.

According to MARCA, the Spanish coach wants Bernardo Silva over Neymar, given the cost of the investment. The Portuguese is younger and fitter than the Brazilian and would offer more in the long term.

Of course, it wouldn't take long before Saudi clubs would throw their hat into the ring. According to Foot Mercato, one club has already offered Neymar a huge contract with a salary of around 300 to 400 million euros over several years.

But Saudi Arabia is not the player's only possible destination as, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. If a transfer to Barcelona seems impossible then MLS would be the likely option, just as we saw with Messi earlier this year, even if no club has been mentioned.

According to Fabrice Hawkins and RMC Sport, discussions between Chelsea and the Neymar clan have not stopped and the player's arrival in the Premier League cannot be ruled out – the winger absolutely wants to play in a major championship.

So what to make of it all? According to Fabrice Hawkins, it is possible that Neymar will stay at PSG but, according to Matteo Moretto, the most likely track is an MLS departure. Despite the player's supposed wish to return to FC Barcelona, the operation would seem very complicated financially for the Catalan club. As for Saudi Arabia, Neymar wouldn't be interested. What is not in doubt is that the summer will still be very long in Paris...