Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain meet over Neymar's transfer
Agencies | Updated: Aug 15, 2019, 10:00 IST
File photo of Neymar. Photo Courtesy: AFP
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain meet for Neymar's transfer but valuations are still apart despite three hour long meeting
Talks between Barcelona and PSG over the transfer of Neymar are underway - as the clubs kicked off discussions with a three-hour meeting on Tuesday.
Barca director of football Eric Abidal and board member Javier Bordas flew to Paris for negotiations with PSG sporting director Leonardo and intermediary Andre Cury.
And the clubs are said to have agreed on one element of a proposed deal so far - Philippe Coutinho .
The midfielder is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, with Barca keen to include him as a makeweight in the transfer.
PSG are open to the prospect of Coutinho joining the club, but disagree on Barca's valuation of the Brazilian, according to Le Parisien .
The Catalans believe Coutinho is worth around £110 million - which is slightly less than the initial fee they paid Liverpool to sign him 18 months ago.
PSG though feel after the 27-yearold's difficult period at the Nou Camp he is worth much less.
Barca have then offered £55-75 million on top of that, which PSG deem too low.
The French champions are keen to recoup as much of the £198m they splurged on Neymar two years ago as possible.
They are instead suggesting a deal which would see Barca part with around £110m in cash, plus Coutinho and teammate Nelson Semedo.
This would push the total value of the deal closer to the £230m mark which they see as fair for the acquisition of Neymar.
However Barca are unlikely to up their offer as it stands whilst there are no other parties involved - and are not keen on losing Semedo.
Ousmane Dembele was another player discussed but again Barca are not open to selling, while Ivan Rakitic does not interest PSG.
Competition from Real Madrid could produce a bidding war, but the Los Blancos are aware Neymar would prefer to join their rivals, and would rather wait to sign Kylian Mbappe next summer.
PSG are now said to be mulling over the various offers they have received currently on the table and will respond to Barca in next 24-48 hours.
Pogba situation gets Real
Manchester United have told Real Madrid that Paul Pogba is not for sale this summer - even if the Spaniard's were to table a stunning £185million bid.
Pogba, the French World Cup winner, has been courted by Madrid since making it clear he would be open to a fresh challenge this season.
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is a long-term admirer of his compatriot and has been desperate to add the midfielder to his ranks despite already spending almost £280m in this window.
However Spanish daily AS has claimed that United are standing firm over the future of Pogba and are in no mood to sell their prized asset.
It is reported that the decision was made once the English transfer window closed last Thursday, meaning the Red Devils are unable to sign new players until January.
After the departures of experienced duo Marouane Fellaini - who left in January - and Ander Herrera, now playing for Paris Saint-Germain, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is light in midfield. Pogba is his star man and the Norwegian is not willing to cash in on Pogba, regardless of Pogba's desire to seek pastures new.
The Frenchman recently admitted he is still unsure about his future after appearing in United's crushing opening-day win against Chelsea .
"I'm aware that things have been said. Only time will tell. There's always that question mark," said Pogba.
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