Transfer News: Neymar wants Messi reunion at PSG; What are the odds of this happening?

After leading Paris Saint-Germain’s charge to a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday, Neymar has again reaffirmed a burning desire to have former team-mate Lionel Messi join him in Paris next season.

“What I want most of all is to play with Messi again, to be able to enjoy him once again on the pitch,” said the Brazilian in his post-match interview with ESPN.

“He can play in my place, I have no problem with that! But I want to play with him next year, for sure. We have to do it next season.”

Neymar’s revelation has seemingly been triggered by comments made by interim Barcelona President, Carlos Tusquets, who suggested the club should have sold Messi in the summer.

Messi had made clear his intentions to quit the Catalan club last summer because he thought a clause in his contract meant he could do so for free, but Barcelona pointing out Messi’s claims in disagreement, understandably refusing to let go of their all-time leading goalscorer and captain go for less than his 700m euros (£624m) release clause.

However, the Argentina International’s contract expires next summer and he will be able to join any club for free.

Following a torrid few months at the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned from his position as President in October, with Tusquets installed as his interim until the next elections in January.

“Economically speaking, I would’ve sold Messi in the summer window,” said Tusquets.

“Both in terms of what you save on the wage bill as well as the money you make, it would’ve been desirable. But this is something the coaching staff has to consent to and that’s not my place.”

Messi’s contract at Barcelona will be up in the summer of 2021, and with the much renowned Guillem Balague mentioning this week that Messi is bent on moving elsewhere, Barcelona and Ronald Koeman could be fast approaching the post-Messi era.