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Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Neymar deal almost impossible, PSG expected Rakitic arrival
Barcelona are scurrying to sign Neymar before the transfer window closes on September 2 - Express Sport brings you the latest updates.
Neymar: Rakitic, Todibo and Dembele could move says Balague
Barcelona transfer news LIVE - Saturday 31 August
Neymar deal all but over?
Neymar's hopes of joining Barcelona hang by a thread, per COPE.
The Brazilian and his family reportedly believe it is "almost impossible" for him to leave Paris Saint-Germain and rejoin his former club.
That is because Ousmane Dembele does not want to move to France as part of a cash-plus-players agreement.
The tranfer window closes on Monday night, with time running out if Barca are to complete a big-money deal.
The Neymars are “very upset”. It is “almost impossible” which is the same message the club is giving too. They are not able to convince Dembele. Time is practically up on this one now https://t.co/vxIDeAZg3j
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2019
Suarez on Neymar
Barcelona star Luis Suarez believes PSG forward Neymar must be ‘left alone with his people’ as talk of a transfer continues to rumble on.
Suarez, who played alongside the Brazil international for Barcelona, believes the 27-year-old must be left alone while he contemplates his future.
"I know it's a difficult time for Neymar," Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890.
"He must be left alone with his people to decide what he wants.”
Three questions circle Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly waiting to discover the nature of Ousmane Dembele’s inclusion in the Neymar deal.
Barcelona want to include Dembele in a three-player-plus-cash deal including Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou.
The player is reluctant to leave but is not adamant on staying as he was earlier in the week, says Guillem Balague.
The Spanish football expert says PSG are waiting to discover the wages, cost of the loan and whether there will be an option or obligation to buy, regarding Dembele.
Tuchel talks to Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly tried to convince Ousmane Dembele to join the club.
L’Equipe report that Tuchel has reached out to the striker, who is umming and ahing over whether to leave Camp Nou.
Barcelona want to include the striker in a deal to re-sign Neymar, with Ivan Rakitic and Jean-Clair Todibo also going to Parc des Princes.
Dembele’s agent said earlier in the summer that his client does not want to leave Barcelona, but there is now a lot of pressure on his shoulders and Guillem Balague has reported he is more open to the idea.
Dembele now open to Neymar deal
Ousmane Dembele is open to being part of a swap deal which will Neymar to Barcelona, according to Guillem Balague.
The Spanish football expert has been close to the transfer saga this summer and now claims that Dembele is “willing” to go to PSG.
Barcelona are proposing a £118million (€130) deal with midfielder Ivan Rakitic and young defender Jean-Clair Todibo joining permanently, while Ousmane Dembele moves on loan.
Balague tweeted on Saturday morning: “According to L’Equipe, Rakitic and Todibo accept to go to PSG. Only pending of Dembele and few other issues as it's a complex deal.
“For first time, I've been told Dembele seems willing to be part of the deal.
But as you know this changes every few hours.”
PSG had planned Rakitic announcement
Paris Saint-Germain “took for granted” that they would sign Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona this summer, according to AS.
The midfielder is the only player in the Barcelona squad to agreed to be a makeweight in a Neymar deal, according to the Spanish newspaper.
Ostensibly PSG had planned the announcement of Rakitic on their social media pages with a video being produced.
The move is in jeopardy, however, with Rakitic included in Ernesto Valverde’s squad that will take on Osasuna today.
Suarez was never leaving
Luis Suarez has confirmed he never had any intention of leaving Barcelona this summer.
The 32-year-old has missed the start of the season with a calf injury and has two years remaining on his deal.
There are doubts over Suarez’s future but the Uruguayan told radio station Sport 890 on Friday: “At no point did I ever consider leaving Barcelona.
"I am there to help the club, I am at the best team in the world.”
Dembele the blockade
Barcelona’s first bid for Neymar was scuppered by Ousmane Dembele’s refusal to leave Camp Nou, according to Sport.
The Spanish newspaper say Barcelona’s offer was £118million (€130m) plus Jean-Clair Todibo, Ivan Rakitic and the loan of Ousmane Dembele.
The injured Frenchman, who was bought as Neymar’s replacement two years ago, is intent on proving himself at Barcelona, though.
The report also states Barcelona are waiting for a counter-offer from PSG after their initial was turned down on Tuesday.
Suarez sends Neymar message
Luis Suarez believes Neymar must be given space to decide what he wants as the European transfer deadline nears.
Barcelona have until Monday to re-sign their former player, who wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Suarez would welcome the return of his old strike partner and told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890 on Friday: “I know it's a difficult time for Neymar.
"He must be left alone with his people to decide what he wants.”
‘No agreement’ in place over Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has insisted “no agreement” is in place between Neymar and Barcelona.
PSG rejected overtures from the Catalans earlier in the week but a deal is still some way off.
“Our position on a potential departure of Neymar is clear, everyone knows what we want,” said Leonardo, who is keen to recoup the £198m spent on Neymar two years ago.
“There are three days until the end of the transfer window, and for the moment, there is no agreement. We’re talking a lot, with Neymar in particular.
“He’s an extraordinary player, I didn’t know him personally before I came back to Paris. He has gone through a lot of things, he’s a football star today, I like him a lot, we have a good relationship with him.”
Barcelona DOESN’T want to buy Neymar says expert
Neymar ‘pictured’ in Barcelona kit
Neymar’s watch sponsors GaGa Milano posted an edited image of the Brazilian star donning Barcelona’s 2019/20 home kit on Friday afternoon.
The Brazilian star was clad in jewellery and one of the company’s watches in the image.
The company, of which Neymar is an ambassador, swiftly deleted the post after publishing but many people had already screen-shotted it.
Neymar struck up his relationship with GaGa Milano after joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Barcelona have only made one bid
Barcelona have made just one formal offer for Neymar despite their summer-long interest in the player.
PSG sporting director Leonardo disclosed the information following PSG’s 2-0 win over Metz on Friday.
“We got a first written offer on 27 August and we refused it, the conditions didn’t suit us,” Leonardo said.
Although Barcelona were not named as the buying club, they have raced ahead of Real Madrid in the last week.