Paris St-Germain superstar Neymar is willing to slash his wages by 50 per cent to seal a sensational return to Barcelona.
The Brazilian has reportedly set his sights on a move back to Barca just under three years since he departed to join PSG for a world-record £198 million.
He came close to rejoining the Spanish giants last summer, only for PSG’s asking price of £175 million to prove a stumbling block in negotiations.
But according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Neymar remains determined to return to Barca and will even accept a pay cut to make it happen.
The 28-year-old is said to have turned down an £87 million contract offer in the French capital to force through a move to Catalonia, where he clinched two league titles and the Champions League.
He has no interest in extending his stay at the Parc des Princes beyond June 2022 – when his current deal expires – meaning PSG could lower their asking price to £132 million.
The French champions fork out a staggering £600,000 per week on Neymar’s contract, which indicates he would be prepared to reduce his salary to £300,000 per week back at Barca.
That comes despite the world’s most expensive player and his PSG teammates recently refusing to take pay cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Barcelona vice-president Emili Rousaud can see Neymar heading back to Catalonia this summer.
“Neymar coming back is possible,” he said.
“The coronavirus is going to provoke deflation in the transfer market and the majority of clubs will have financial problems.
“Barcelona will have to analyse if the operation is within the club’s finances.
“The interest is real, but it’s complicated. There are three parties involved: Barca, PSG and the player.
“If the three look for an agreement, they will find the solution: payment in instalments, for example. It all depends on the will of each party and especially on the demands of Neymar.”