Neymar keeps Barca guessing
Print Edition
BRAZIL’S Neymar triggered a guessing game on his return from China yesterday, posting a video on social media apparently from Dubai but leaving his final destination — Paris or Barcelona — a mystery.
As speculation mounts of an imminent record-busting transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar’s video appeared to be from the first class lounge at Dubai airport. The 25-year-old forward, who was in Shanghai on Monday fulfilling a sponsor’s engagement, also posted a photo with the caption in Portuguese: “Lunch at half-way”.
In another video posted from an aeroplane, Neymar jokes around with an image messaging app that superimposed a Spanish flag and a small plane on his tee-shirt — suggesting he is indeed headed home to Barcelona.
The decor in that video was identifiable as from an Emirates airliner.
Earlier reports claimed that he was headed from China to Doha, to meet PSG’s Qatari owners and pass a medical before his reported 222-million-euro (US$260 million) move from Barca.
But his being on an Emirates plane rules out Doha as a possible destination given the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors.
Other reports had said the Barcelona forward could be headed directly to Paris after deciding to quit the Spanish club.
BeIN Sport, like PSG backed by Qatar, said in a tweet in Arabic on Monday that Neymar had decided to leave the Catalan club, citing a club source at Barcelona.
While Neymar has studiously remained silent about his future, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is expecting him back at the club today for the resumption of training, although Spanish sports media claim he won’t turn up.
Neymar, though, has a nasty surprise awaiting him upon his return as Barcelona has blocked payment of a 26-million euro bonus he is due, a source at the club said. “These 26 million euros have been placed with a notary pending to see if the player continues,” the source said.
The renewal bonus was agreed on a year ago when Neymar extended his contract with Barcelona until 2021, and was due to be paid after he completed a year.
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