Skip to content

PSG director: Neymar can leave if we get suitable offer

MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP / Getty

Neymar's departure from Paris Saint-Germain, seemingly inconceivable at the beginning of the transfer window, now looks like a distinct possibility.

Amid swirling rumors of a potential return to Barcelona, PSG sporting director Leonardo said the Brazilian, 27, is available if someone comes calling.

"Neymar can leave PSG if there is an offer made that suits everybody," he told Le Parisien, as translated by Jonathan Johnson of ESPN. "For now, we do not know if anybody wants to buy him or at what price. What is certain is that this sort of thing does not get done in one day.

"We have not received any offers, but there has been very superficial contact (with Barca). They said they want to buy him but that we do not want to sell him. That is what (Barca chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu) said, but we did not see them in a real buying position."

Leonardo's revelation arrived on the heels of Neymar's absence from a training session earlier in the day. The oft-injured star was expected to begin his preseason regimen with the club on Monday, but no-showed, forcing the reigning Ligue 1 champions to issue a statement.

"The club regrets this situation and will, therefore, take appropriate action," PSG announced.

Leonardo, expanding on that, was adamant Neymar knew when he was due back.

"He needed to arrive but did not - he knew to be there ... He made commitments, but these dates were not agreed with PSG. His last match was June 6 and holidays were until July 8. Then, he did not come."

Neymar is only two years removed from his record-breaking €222-million switch from the Camp Nou to the Parc des Princes.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox