It appears that the repercussions of Barcelona's shocking exit from the Champions League quarterfinals Friday last week are beginning to unfold. Quique Setien has been sacked and the Barca roster is up for an overhaul with Lionel Messi seen as the most high-profile exit. Reports said plans are afoot to bring Neymar in.
Media reports from Spain suggested that the humiliation brought about by the UCL defeat proved too much for the Barca captain. Messi has a deal with the Spanish giants until the summer of 2021 and it is believed he is ready to extend, at least for another two years.
However, the 8-2 hammering the Barca squad absorbed, courtesy of Bayern Munich, had reportedly convinced the team captain that he's done with the Catalans. According to AS, Messi has decided to leave the club he calls home for nearly two decades and the Argentine is looking for an immediate exit.
If the reports will turn out true, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner could be out of Camp Nou this summer but there is no clear indication yet where he is playing next. There are talks of Messi bringing his game to either Juventus or Paris Saint-Germain and it makes sense as both clubs are capable of paying for the expected expensive transfer.
In addition, the European giants are champion squads, which fit with Messi's expected goal of winning titles before his retirement in the next few years.
It's possible too that Messi's departure from Camp Nou will lead him to the Premier League, where he could join up with Pep Guardiola, the superstar's former manager at Barcelona. Playing for Manchester City will also tick the key boxes for the Argentine - the team can win big games and titles and most importantly, they can afford Messi.
These scenarios remain unconfirmed but the Catalans are not taking their chances. It would seem that preparation is now underway in the event of Messi's sudden departure. Forbes reported that the club has decided to revive the plan to re-hire Neymar.
Now signing the Brazilian attacker again seemed impossible as Paris Saint-Germain already declared on numerous occasions that the superstar is not for sale. But Barcelona appeared determined to make a deal by offering a cash payment of around €60 million plus a top-quality player.
If PSG would be willing to discuss business, Barcelona will also send Antoine Griezmann to the French capital. The World Cup winner was acquired from Atletico Madrid just a year ago for €120 million but struggled to shine with the superclub. The Catalans are hoping that the Frenchman would interest the Parisians to start talking on a deal about Neymar.
Neymar had left Camp Nou in 2017 but has been vocal about his intention to wear anew the Barcelona shirt.
