Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar has now reportedly made a surprise call after Lionel Messi decided not to join FC Barcelona.
After weeks of intense speculation around Messi's future, the 35-year-old finally confirmed on Wednesday night that he will be an Inter Miami player from July.
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This followed recent suggestions he was likely to return to boyhood club Barcelona, but the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has since explained in an interview that one of the reasons he did not feel comfortable about returning to the Camp Nou was the fact that the Spanish club had to sell players or lower their salaries in order for him to return, something the Argentine did not want to be responsible for.
Messi also admitted he was "unhappy" during his two years at PSG, saying he could not be there for his children as he would have loved to as a result.
His now-ex-teammate Neymar is also believed to be unhappy in Paris, especially after fans went to his home last month to protest against his continued stay at Les Parisiens.
As such, PSG's No. 10 is believed to be ready to call time on his stint at the Parc des Princes after six seasons in France.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Neymar has now offered himself to Barca, and would be willing to lower his salary in order to make the move happen.
It is said the Blaugrana are desperate to make a marquee signing this year, with Messi having previously been earmarked to be that player for the club.
The report adds, though, that Barca might not find it easy to meet PSG's expected price demand given that the Selecao star has a few years remaining on his contract and the fact that they paid a world-record fee of €222 million (R4.5 billion) to acquire his services from them in the first place.
It is further claimed, however, that the French giants also want to get his wages off their books, so a compromise may be on the cards.
An update on the situation has emerged, with Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez having since insisted he has no plans to sign the former Santos prodigy.
"I'm surprised… he's not in our plan," he told Jijantes.
"I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities."
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Clubs in England are also believed to be interested in the Selecao talisman, with Manchester United and Chelsea having both been linked with the 31-year-old.
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