Deco reveals how close Neymar came to Barcelona return before Al Hilal transfer
- Neymar left PSG for Al Hilal during the summer transfer window
- Brazil international enjoyed four years at Camp Nou
- An ACL injury has likely ended Neymar's season
By Tom Gott
Barcelona sporting director Deco has confessed that the club discussed a possible move to re-sign Neymar before he ultimately joined Al Hilal this summer.
Neymar, who enjoyed four excellent years at Camp Nou between 2013 and 2017, swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal in a £78m move, only to tear his ACL just five games into his tenure at the club.
Deco, however, has claimed Neymar actually wanted to return to Barcelona and talks were held over a possible move, although very little progress was actually made as the finances involved made it impossible for Barca.
"There were conversations with his manager,," Deco told Lance!. "This was much more with the president, but the truth is that the situation was never presented in a real way and how it could be done.
"We have the issue of Financial Fair Play that dictates a lot, but Neymar's situation was never concretely stated. The numbers... we know Neymar had a very high salary, he had offers from clubs in Saudi. It was very difficult to get Neymar back in the current scenario.
"He is a fantastic player. Obviously he would fit into Barcelona, but there was never a real possibility, apart from the desire he had to return from Barcelona."
Deco went on to praise Neymar's time in Paris and argued his tenure with the Ligue 1 side does not get the respect it deserves.
"I don't think he didn't have the same success [as he had with Barcelona]," Deco stressed. "He had the same success. The difference is that he wasn't at one of the biggest clubs in the world, which is Barcelona.
"He played a lot at PSG, but Barcelona's dimension is different. This means that players can appear for the Ballon d'Or. Neymar had fantastic seasons at PSG. The difference is that PSG, unfortunately, was unable to provide the necessary dimension. Barcelona, in this sense, is a club that can project much more.
"I think Neymar was happy in Barcelona, he was in a fantastic moment. We never know if there was pressure from someone to make this decision. It's very difficult to give an opinion, but I think he played a lot at PSG."
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