Neymar future: Barcelona 'among two clubs' to hold 'transfer talks' with Santos attacker's agent

The former Blaugrana attacker endured a miserable time with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, only making seven appearances due to injury after his big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Neymar was allowed to leave Saudi Arabia for boyhood club Santos during the winter window, and the 33-year-old has already played as many games for the South American giants as he did for Al-Hilal.

The winger has also hit the ground running in terms of goal contributions, netting three strikes of his own and setting up three more in seven matches in the Campeonato Paulista, the highest level of competition in Sao Paulo.

Neymar's contract with Santos only runs until the end of June, though, and it is believed that the 33-year-old views his stint back in his homeland as a possible 'audition' for a return to the European big time this summer.

Neymar agent 'holds talks' with Barcelona, Bayern Munich

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Neymar's representative Pini Zahavi has already been putting the feelers out and has held talks with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich over a potential move for his client.

Neymar forged a highly effective relationship with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi during his first spell at Barcelona from 2014 to 2015, winning the Champions League as part of that fearsome front three.

The Brazil international was repeatedly tipped to return to Camp Nou throughout his turbulent spell at PSG, although Barcelona's financial situation at the time would have made a deal impossible.

However, the links have inevitably started to re-emerge, and Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was recently questioned about the possibility of Neymar heading back to the club for a second spell.

Zahavi is said to get along well with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, and Neymar will also not demand a massive salary to secure his dream return to Camp Nou, but La Blaugrana will likely still have to sell players first.

Meanwhile, a space could open up in Bayern's ranks for Neymar this summer, as Vincent Kompany's team risk losing Leroy Sane for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Santos president confirms Neymar plan amid Barcelona links

Even though Neymar is due to become a free agent again in just over three months' time, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira is expecting him to stay at the club until the 2026 World Cup, suggesting that a contract extension will be in the pipeline.

"With Neymar's arrival, we have 75,000 members,' Teixeira told ESPN. "Today, we can measure what is related to the technical aspect, what represents the financial aspect. All financial objectives will be increased, above what we previously estimated.

"If everything goes well, the tendency is for this partnership to continue and be expanded until next year's World Cup."

Neymar's hopes of representing the Selecao at next year's World Cup recently received a significant boost, as he has been called up to Dorival Junior's squad for March's qualifiers with Colombia and Argentina.

The 33-year-old has won 128 caps for his nation - the second most all-time for the men's team behind Cafu (142) - and has scored a record 79 goals, but his last game for the Selecao came all the way back in October 2023.

Written by

Ben Knapton