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How Barcelona could line up with Neymar

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up should they re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The final week of the European transfer window is sure to be dominated by the future of the world's most expensive player as speculation over Neymar's position at Paris Saint-Germain continues to intensify.

La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are both understood to be interested in the Brazilian forward, who is desperate to return to Spain following two tumultuous years in the French capital.

Barcelona are thought to be leading the race after stepping up their pursuit in recent days, with rumours of a big-money offer plus Ousmane Dembele.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ernesto Valverde could set his side up should Neymar complete his feted return to Camp Nou.



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The first dilemma for Valverde to solve upon the possible arrival of Neymar will be how to fit him into the team alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.

The quartet would give Barcelona arguably the most dangerous attack in world football, although to fit them all into the same starting XI Valverde would likely have to adapt his preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Messi remains undroppable and, should the 4-3-3 system prove to be concrete, then it would likely be a straight shootout between Suarez and Griezmann for the central striking role.

Neymar, Suarez and Messi formed a deadly partnership during their previous time together, but Griezmann got off the mark with a brace at the weekend and will expect to start regularly following his £107m arrival from Atletico Madrid.

A 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be the most suitable system for all four to be included, and that would also allow Barca to start both Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong in their preferred roles, although Arthur, Arturo Vidal, Rafinha and Ivan Rakitic provide further depth in the middle of the park.

The centre-back partnership of Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique is now Valverde's preferred duo, while Jordi Alba remains first-choice left-back despite the arrival of Junior Firpo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the undisputed number one.

The only position seemingly up for grabs in the back five is therefore right-back, where Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo will battle it out should the latter not be included in the deal to bring Neymar to Camp Nou.

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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