Joan Laporta is planning Barça's squad for the next season, and it seems he has a big bomb in mind. Or this, at least, is what journalist Pipi Estrada announced on the latest episode of El Chiringuito. Towards the end of the broadcast, he decided to stop what they were discussing to set the scene for everyone.
Pipi Estrada was blunt: "Joan Laporta is designing his return to Barça. He is an important and powerful footballer, he is 32 years old. His return to Barcelona would be a bomb, it's what the president has in mind." In this regard, he continued: "It's not a transfer, it would be a loan. I'm talking about Neymar. With his arrival in Brazilian soccer, his return becomes easier."
However, in the meantime, he had a small argument with his colleague Quim Domènech, who pointed out that this wouldn't be possible. In his return to Santos, Neymar has signed only until June 30, 2025, becoming a free agent at the end of the current season. In this scenario, Pipi Estrada stated that, if it were to happen, it would be a short-term return for Barça.
Pipi Estrada activates Neymar's return to Barça
Neymar is clear that his return to Santos will be for a short time. He has done it to regain his form and fully recover from his injury. After that, his next goal is to head to Europe, where he would accept a smaller contract with the intention of feeling important again in a big team.
It's complicated, although Neymar would be delighted to return to Barça. Despite Pipi Estrada's information, Madrid-Barcelona has learned that, recently, Hansi Flick rejected the opportunity for his return.
On Laporta's table, Neymar would have presented very positive financial conditions for FC Barcelona, something that has been conveyed to Flick. The German coach's reply was clear: "I don't want him back."
Flick considers Neymar a negative influence in such a young locker room and has no intention of bringing him back. He sees his offer as a free footballer as positive, but he doesn't fit. Not only in the locker room but also in his game plan: he clearly has other priorities and believes he wouldn't meet what he asks of everyone.
Neymar wants to be in top physical and competitive condition for the upcoming competitions with the Brazilian national team. That's why he has prioritized competitiveness over money, something he hasn't done much in his career until now. He will soon turn 33 and seems to have seen the writing on the wall.