Philippe Coutinho could join Paris Saint Germain in a possible swap deal for Neymar.
South American football expert Vickery says that Neymar and Philippe Coutinho could swap clubs in the summer transfer window.
The rumour mills of Neymar rejoining Barcelona have not stopped, despite the French club denying those allegations. On the other hand, Philippe Coutinho has struggled to impress Ernesto Valverde at Nou Camp. The Blaugrana boss is open to listening offers for the current number 7, which could open the door for Neymar’s reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Vickery claimed that the Spanish side would be able to bring Neymar back based on one condition. Barcelona must acclimatize Philippe Coutinho in a cash plus swap deal for a possible transfer.
He said: “If this is going to happen, it is going to take some work there with the financial architecture with players going the other way,” Vickery told Sky Sports News.
“The obvious candidate to go the other way would be the former Liverpool man Philippe Coutinho.”
Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool for a huge fee of £142 million, but has failed to live up to the belief. He bagged just five goals and three assists from 34 appearances, with 12 of them coming as a substitute. The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea, but he does not want to join them because it would be out of respect to his former club Liverpool.
Neymar has endured a difficult stint with PSG. It is majorly down to the ankles injuries he has suffered. The 27-year-old has also said that he wants to leave the French club because of the lack of competition in the league.
South American expert has elaborated that his former teammates will welcome him, but the board members are still unhappy, owing to the fact that he drove the move from the club in 2017.
“The detail which I think is so interesting here is it is clear that the senior players at Barcelona – [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez and [Gerard] Pique would be very pleased to have Neymar back,” Vickery added.
“On the other hand though, the club members, who vote in the presidential elections, are not quite as keen. They feel betrayed by the way that he left them.”
Neymar has been sitting on the sidelines after being ruled out of the Copa America due to an injury. On the other hand, Philippe Coutinho has been standing up to the task for Brazil, in the absence of his compatriot. Manchester United were rumoured to be interested in Neymar, but those reports have been rubbished.
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What’s next?
If Barcelona manage to line up 100 million and Philippe Coutinho, the deal could materialize in the summer transfer window.
