MX23RW : Friday, April 19 01:47:27| >> :120:3852:3852:

Lionel Messi 'driving Barcelona's pursuit of Neymar'

A report claims that Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is acting as the main driving force behind the club's pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar.

Barcelona's pursuit of Neymar this summer is reportedly being driven by Lionel Messi's desire to see his former teammate return to Camp Nou.

The Spanish champions are understood to be leading bitter rivals Real Madrid in the race for the Paris Saint-Germain attacker, who is eager to leave the Parc des Princes just two years after joining.

Negotiations have proven to be complicated due to PSG's £200m asking price, which Barca have so far unsuccessfully tried to navigate by offering players as part of the package.

French outlet Le Parisien claims that their persistence in the pursuit of the 27-year-old is designed to satisfy Messi, who is keen to see Neymar return to Catalunya.

The report goes on to say that Barcelona will return with a fresh bid next week but remain some way away from PSG's valuation of the Brazilian international.

Neymar spent four years at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, scoring 105 goals in 186 games.

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Nelson Semedo during a Barcelona training session on July 31, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao31169651292257
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
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14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3138203260-2817
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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