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Barcelona offer Philippe Coutinho swap deal to PSG for Neymar as transfer talks continue
BARCELONA have started talks with PSG over the transfer of Neymar, in what would be an £89m deal, which would also see Philippe Coutinho heading the other way, it’s been claimed.
Neymar: Barcelona have made PSG an offer says Castles
Talks between Barca and PSG are already underway as Neymar looks to seal his move back to Catalonia, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
PSG are now willing to let the Brazilian forward leave the Parc des Princes after a turbulent spell in Paris.
While their initial valuation of £268m (€300m) was deemed unreasonably high by Barcelona, they have proposed an alternative.
The deal would see Coutinho heading to PSG, as the Parisians are already keen on signing him.
Neymar has made it clear he wants to leave Paris
Barcelona were also willing to part with £89m (€100m) as part of the swap deal.
While the proposed deal still falls short of what PSG may have been hoping for, it may cross the line as it benefits both parties.
Neymar has made it clear he wants to leave Paris - specifically for Barcelona, whom he sees as his ‘home’.
Barca, meanwhile, are still trying to offload Coutinho, after what’s been an unsuccessful start to his life at the Nou Camp.
Neymar reportedly told the PSG board at the end of the season that he wants to return to Barcelona.
If he were to return to Catalonia, the deal would be welcomed by Barcelona legend Rivaldo.
“I would love for Neymar to return,” he said on Thursday.
“It would be good for Barca and for Neymar. It was a mistake that he left. He does’t say that, nor does his father, but it was.
“The fans didn't want him to go. I think 70 per cent wanted him to stay but he's got a strong personality.
“If he returns, puts the ball in the back of the net, beats Real Madrid and wins a Champions League the people will forget that.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has reportedly urged the club to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.
He’d rather play alongside his former teammate than Barcelona’s target Antoine Griezmann.