IN SPORT.ES
Before the coronavirus pandemic struck Barcelona wanted Lautaro Martinez and Neymar this summer. The idea was to form the best attack in the world, but their plans have been hit. They have been forced to prioritise the Argentine and everything suggests a deal will be complete in the coming months.
Barça have sounded out another deal for Neymae but Paris Saint-Germain's demands are impossible to meet. They will let him go but not in an exchange deal and only for 175 million euros cash. Barça -- ot any other club, for that matter -- won't be able to reach those numbers this year.
Taking advantage of the break in football, Barça sounded out PSG about a possible deal. The Catalans know Neymar wants to come back. But things haven't gone well with PSG, who aren't interested in any Barça players. They only want money, which led to the immediate breakdown of any negotiations.
With the transfer window possibly open until January, it was set to be a drawn out saga. But it depended on two things: Neymar putting pressure on PSG and PSG being willing to accept players in exchange.
Conversations are not completely broken but PSG's declaration of intent complicates things. Barça, with French players like Griezmann, Umtiti and Dembele, thought there would be the chance of a swap deal. But PSG only want cash to balance their accounts and make the signings they want to make. And it seems they prefer players not at Barça.
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Barça, for now, have cooled the talks. They aren't thinking of offering cash and are focused on Lautaro. They will wait for the best moment.