The Barça president wants a high-profile signing in the summer transfer window, and the newspaper Sport mentions that the 32-year-old Brazilian is a possibility.
The Catalan newspaper Sport published an intriguing report on Wednesday, suggesting that Neymar could once again be on Barcelona's radar.
With Joan Laporta, the president of the club, keen to secure a marquee signing for next season, the Brazilian forward might emerge as a viable option. While Erling Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker from Manchester City, remains the club's top target, the report highlights that acquiring Haaland would be a far more complex and costly endeavor. The financial power and contract status of the Premier League champions make the pursuit of Haaland a significant challenge for Barcelona, whose financial struggles in recent years have been well documented.
Neymar, on the other hand, presents a more feasible opportunity for Barça. Currently contracted with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia until June 2025, the Brazilian superstar could potentially leave the club earlier. According to Sport, Neymar could sign with another team as early as January 2025, if no agreement is reached regarding a contract extension with Al Hilal. This opens the door for a return to Europe, where Neymar has previously expressed interest in competing again at the highest level, especially as he looks toward the 2026 World Cup.
The report further suggests that Neymar is eager to return to a more competitive environment after his stint in the Saudi Pro League. While Al Hilal represents one of the most powerful clubs in Asia, Neymar's ambitions are tied to competing in one of Europe’s top leagues, where he believes his talents can be showcased at their best. His motivation to stay sharp ahead of the 2026 World Cup is a driving factor, and the idea of rejoining a club like Barcelona where he previously enjoyed enormous success could be appealing for both parties.
During his time at Barcelona from 2013 to 2017, Neymar formed part of one of the most formidable attacking trios in football history, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. His time at the Catalan club saw him win multiple trophies, including two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, and the coveted UEFA Champions League in 2015. His departure in 2017 for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record transfer was a controversial moment in Barcelona's history, but Neymar's connection to the club has remained strong.
However, Sport notes that Neymar's potential return to Barcelona is not without complications. The Brazilian has been sidelined for almost a year due to injury, raising concerns about his fitness and ability to perform at the highest level. Despite this, his reputation as one of the most talented players of his generation makes him an enticing option for Barcelona, especially in light of Laporta's desire to bring in a high-profile signing that can reignite the club's ambitions.
As for Barcelona, the possibility of Neymar’s return would be seen as a major boost in their quest to reestablish themselves among Europe’s elite clubs. In recent years, the club has struggled to replicate the dominance it enjoyed during the Neymar-Messi-Suárez era, and a player of Neymar's caliber could help to restore some of that lost luster. Moreover, Neymar’s commercial appeal and global fan base would be an asset to a club that has been looking for ways to increase its revenues and rebuild its financial stability.
At this point, it is still unclear whether a move for Neymar is a serious priority for Barcelona, or whether the club will continue to focus its efforts on securing Erling Haaland. Regardless, the report from Sport highlights the complex nature of Barcelona’s transfer strategy moving forward. The club must balance its desire for a star signing with the financial realities it faces, making Neymar a more plausible, if risky, target compared to Haaland.
The coming months will be critical for both Neymar and Barcelona as they look toward their respective futures. For Neymar, the decision to stay in Saudi Arabia or seek a return to European football could define the next chapter of his career, especially with the World Cup in mind. For Barcelona, the opportunity to bring back one of its most celebrated former players could be a chance to reconnect with its recent past while building for future success.
