Bulgaria legend, Hristo Stoichkov, has warned his former club Barcelona that their big chase for the return of Neymar will eventually prove to be a waste of time and resources, insisting there is currently no space for the Brazilian in Ernesto Valverde’s rich squad.
Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a world record €222 million transfer fee. He has since indicated lack of motivation to continue his career with the Ligue 1 side, and Barcelona chiefs have been desperately trying to convince PSG to accept bid that involves money and players as makeweight.
But Stoichkov, also Barcelona legend, who had two stints at the Laliga side – 1990 to 1995 and 1996 to 1998 during his playing days, is appalled at the ongoing negotiations for Neymar, insisting it’s unnecessary.
“He [Neymar] would be a bomb inside the lockerroom,” Stoichkov told Univision Deportes – a Spanish television network he currently work for as pundit.
“Barcelona don’t need Neymar. He would have no space to play because they already have very
important players.
“There are [Ousmane] Dembele, [Antoine] Griezmann, [Luis] Suarez, [Lionel] Messi. Where would he play? For my part, I don’t
want him to come back.
“I’m sure there are players who want to come back and ask the president for his effort, but
Barca isn’t going to move a single Euro to get him back. Barca doesn’t have the money to pay PSG.
Stoichkov, the 1994/Balloon d’Or winner added: “There are [swap] options, but the players Barca are offering to PSG is disrespectful. Firstly, because Ivan Rakitic is a great worker, a very humble lad who has never let his guard down and has always defended the interests of Barcelona.
“And [Philippe] Coutinho cost a lot of money, but he has a lot of ability and I defend him, and hopefully no Barca player leaves.”
1 Comment
Well said monsour stoichkov.