Neymar can leave PSG if we get an offer, says sporting director Leonardo

09 July 2019 - 12:27 By Reuters
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Brazil's Neymar in the stands before the match against Brazil in the Copa America semifinal at Mineiro Stadium in Belo Horizonte on July 2 2019.
Brazil's Neymar in the stands before the match against Brazil in the Copa America semifinal at Mineiro Stadium in Belo Horizonte on July 2 2019.
Image: REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo

Paris St Germain sporting director Leonardo says Neymar is free to leave the French champions but there have been no offers for him and only "superficial" talks with his former club Barcelona.

The Brazilian forward joined PSG from Barcelona on a five-year deal for a world record transfer fee of $249m in 2017.

"Neymar can leave PSG if there is an offer that suits everyone," Leonardo told the club's website.

"But to date, we do not know if anyone wants to buy him or at what price. All this is not done in a day, that's for sure," Leonardo told.

"It's clear to everyone (that he wants to leave), but in football, you say one thing today and tomorrow another ... It's amazing but it's like that. We talked with his entourage too. Everyone knows everything.

"The position is clear for all participants. But one thing is concrete today: he still has three years of contract with us and since we have not received an offer, we cannot discuss anything."

Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu said last week that Neymar wanted to return to Spain but that PSG were reluctant to sell him.

"We have not received any offers," Leonardo added. "But we have had, it's true, very superficial contacts (with Barcelona). They said they wanted to buy but we were not sellers.

"He's (Bartomeu) the one saying it... But we did not see that Barcelona was really in a buyer position."

Paris St Germain said on Monday they would take action against the Brazilian forward after he failed to report for training. 


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