Barcelona will aim to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar this summer but are expecting any transfer deal to be "complex", the club's former vice-president has revealed.
Emili Rousaud, who was one of six directors to resign from the Barca board last week, made the claims to L'Equipe, saying: "A return for Neymar is possible. The coronavirus is going to cause a deflation of the market and most of the clubs are going to have financial difficulties.
"Barcelona wish in effect to guarantee the return of Neymar. It will be necessary to analyse if this operation fits within the finances of the club but the interest is real, even if it is complex."
Neymar spent four hugely successful seasons at Barcelona after joining the Spanish giants from boyhood club Santos for €88 million (Dh351.5m) in 2013.
He formed a formidable attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, nicknamed 'MSN', and together they helped fire Barca to the Champions League, La Liga, and Copa del Rey treble in 2014/15.
Considered the heir-apparent to Messi, Neymar then sealed a sensational and world record move to PSG in 2017, when the French side activated his release clause of €222m.
However, while his time in Paris has been largely successful on the pitch, Neymar has been consistently linked with a return to Barca amid speculation he has failed to settle in France. Last summer, it was thought he was close to leaving PSG for his former club, only for the deal to collapse.
"There are three parties involved: Barcelona, PSG and the player," Rousaud said. "If all three seek an agreement, they will find the solution: a fractional payment, for example. Everything will depend on the good will of each one and, especially, on Neymar's demands."
Should Neymar return to Barcelona, he will be welcomed back with open arms by former strike partner Suarez, who recently told Mundo Deportivo: "Everybody knows 'Ney', we all know the affection we have for him in the dressing room.
"His ability is indisputable and he still has so much to show. He will always be welcome in the changing room, we appreciate him a lot."
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Earnest, unflashy Neymar finally delivers on the European stage for PSG
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Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar celebrates with supporters outside the Parc des Princes stadium after winning the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund in March. AFP -
Paris Saint Germain's supporters set off flares as they celebrate outside the stadium. AFP -
Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Layvin Kurzawa and Eric Maxim Choupo Moting celebrate on the top tier of the stadium in front of supporters outside. AFP -
PSG players Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Juan Bernat celebrate as fans gather below. AFP -
PSG players celebrate at the top of the Parc des Prices as fans gather below. AFP -
PSG players celebrate at the top of the Parc des Prices as fans gather below. AFP -
Angel Di Maria (C) and teammates celebrating with supporters gathered outside the stadium. AFP -
Angel Di Maria celebrates as fans gather below. AFP -
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate as fans gather outside the stadium. AFP -
PSG players celebrate on the top tier of the stadium as fans gather below. AFP -
PSG players celebrate on the top tier of the stadium as fans gather below. AFP -
SG players celebrate on the top tier of the stadium as fans gather below. AFP -
SG players celebrate on the top tier of the stadium as fans gather below. AFP -
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate as fans gather outside the stadium. AFP
