Neymar failed to show up for pre-season training with Paris Saint-Germain on Monday. AFP
Neymar failed to show up for pre-season training with Paris Saint-Germain on Monday with the club announcing they would take “appropriate action”.
In a terse statement, the French champions noted: “On Monday 8 July Neymar da Silva Santos Junior was due to return to pre-season activities with the Paris Saint-Germain senior squad.
“Paris Saint-Germain notes that Neymar Jr was not in attendance at the agreed time and place. This was without the club’s prior authorisation.
“The club regrets this situation and will therefore take appropriate action.”
In Rio, Brazilian media quoted Neymar’s father as saying that PSG “were aware” the striker would be absent.
“The reason [for his no-show] was known and planned for a year as part of his activities for the Neymar Institute [charity foundation],” said Neymar Senior.
He added: “We couldn’t postpone them and he will return [to PSG] on July 15.
“It’s as simple as that, no drama. PSG are aware and take part in the Institute’s activities.”
Neymar left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of €222 million ($252 million) in August 2017, but could make a surprise move back to Camp Nou this summer.
Late on Monday PSG’s sporting director Leonardo told the Parisien newspaper that “Neymar can leave PSG if there is an offer that suits everybody”.
Last week Barcelona’s vice-president Jordi Cardoner told a press conference: “What is correct, at the current time, what I have read, what I have heard, which seems exact, is that Neymar wants to come back to Barcelona.”
And media reports have indicated that intermediaries between PSG and Barca had hammered out the terms of a deal which would free the Brazilian star to return to his former club.
Spanish sports newspaper Diario Sport claims a five-year contract has been agreed.
The newspaper said last week the terms include Neymar reducing his salary from around €36 million at PSG to the €24 million he received at Barca in 2017.
The 27-year-old had spent four years at Camp Nou, winning the Champions League in 2015 and two La Liga titles. He had formed a brilliant attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
On Sunday, injured Neymar was watching from the stands as Brazil beat Peru in the Copa America final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
