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Barcelona set Neymar transfer deadline by PSG as Nasser Al-Khelaifi takes drastic action
BARCELONA have reportedly been set a transfer deadline to sign Neymar by PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Barcelona: Laurens reveals how club will sign Neymar
Barcelona want to sign Neymar from PSG this transfer window, despite already landing Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.
The La Liga giants have made winning the Champions League their No 1 goal for next season, with the Catalan giants yet to scoop the prize since beating Juventus in the 2015 final.
Barcelona sold Neymar to PSG two years ago after the Ligue 1 titans triggered the player’s huge £200million release clause.
However, the Brazil international has come to regret his decision to leave the Nou Camp behind.
Neymar feels the standard of football in France is too low for a player of his extreme talents.
And reports have suggested he has failed to take to living in Paris in the same way he did when he moved to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.
Now, though, French outlet CNews claim that PSG have set a deadline for Barca to complete a transfer.
The report says that PSG chief Al-Khelaifi is concerned that talk over Neymar will disrupt their preparations for the new season.
Barcelona have until August 31 to get a deal for their former No 11 over the line.
But it is claimed that PSG have set a deadline of July 31, nine days before the start of the new Ligue 1 campaign.
Should Barcelona fail to prise Neymar away from the Parc des Princes by then, he will reportedly remain with the group.
And the report adds PSG may even offer him a new contract with a vastly-improved salary to ensure he stay focused.
Meanwhile, Griezmann made his Barcelona debut on Tuesday.
The France international was unable to inspire his new team to victory, though, with Barca falling to a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
After the game, Griezmann was asked about Neymar.
And the Barcelona star was adamant he would welcome the 27-year-old to the club, saying: “We have to get it done first, because it is a difficult transfer.
“But he is a great player, he's had a couple of injuries but is at an incredible level.
“We also have [Ousmane] Dembele, [Philippe] Coutinho and Malcom, who are also important players for us and let’s hope we can achieve great things with them.”