MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 11:23:19| >> :60:598:598:

Josep Maria Bartomeu opens up on Barcelona's failed Neymar pursuit

Bartomeu opens up on Barca's failed Neymar pursuit
© Reuters
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists that his club "did everything possible" to re-sign Neymar during the summer.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that his club "did everything possible" in an attempt to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old was consistently linked with a return to Barca, having allegedly made it clear that he wanted to leave the French champions before the European transfer deadline.

The Catalan giants were ultimately unable to secure a deal for the Brazil international, but Bartomeu has played down suggestions that his club did not push hard enough to re-sign the attacker.

The Barca president has also ruled out a move for the South American during the January transfer window, in addition to claiming that "other clubs were also negotiating with PSG" for the former Santos youngster.

"Neymar can't join Barca in January, and the Barca dressing room doesn't decide anything," Bartomeu told Barca TV. "We did everything possible to sign Neymar. We didn't offer any specific player in exchange. We did talk about exchanges but all the names were given by PSG.

"Without an exchange of players, the offer was to loan Neymar for a year with a mandatory purchase option at the end of the season.

"I know other clubs were also negotiating with PSG. At one point during the negotiations, Neymar asked PSG to only negotiate with Barca. He decided only to join Barca. Neymar did what he had to do, he told his club about his decision, he did everything possible, but this year he will play at PSG."

La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Neymar could retire at PSG due to the finances that would be required to bring the forward back to Spain.

ID:370625: cacheID:370625:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2974:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar celebrates scoring against Liverpool on November 28, 2018
Read Next:
La Liga chief claims Neymar could retire at PSG
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!