Neymar wants to leave PSG - but Barcelona need bargain signings, not big-money distractions

Another year, another rumour suggesting that Neymar will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian star has hardly spent a summer in the French capital without being linked with a move away. This time, though, what appeared to once live in the realm of gossip columns and social-media speculation has become something more concrete. Neymar, according to L'Equipe, has told PSG that he wants out. And now, we are led to believe, he really means it.

Of course, the predictable links have cropped up. Chelsea have, depending on who you believe, both entered talks and ruled out the signing entirely. Numerous Saudi Pro League sides have also enquired. But the big name, perhaps the most likely contender for his services, is Barcelona.

And there's some romance to this one. Barcelona are his former home, the club where Neymar staked his claim to be one of the best in the world. He won seven trophies across four years in Catalunya, scored 105 goals, and finished third in Ballon d'Or voting twice. That he wants to go back, and Barca president Joan Laporta is interested in securing his services, is of little surprise.

But while Neymar wants to relive part of his footballing youth, the new, Xavi-led version of Barcelona has grown up. This is a wiser organisation now, one more financially prudent, a club that should avoid the Neymar saga — and has shown it has the smarts to do so.