It was only ever going to be temporary
Ever since his world record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar has been linked constantly with a move back to Spain. Whether it is a return to Barça, where his former teammates have reportedly been doing everything they can to persuade him to come back, or a move to Real Madrid, it seemed certain that he will one day return to LaLiga.
The only reason Barça had to allow Neymar to leave in 2017 was that PSG triggered his release clause – an obligation for all LaLiga players. Such is a rapid rate of inflation in football, PSG’s infinite wealth and Neymar’s desire to be the main man, the seemingly impossible transfer became reality. And PSG could suffer a similar fate in 2020, when Neymar’s release clause with the French champions kicks in.
Currently, the Brazilian has no such price tag attached to him, but according to a report from Spanish newspaper AS, a clause that allows him to leave for €160m will become active in 2020. His current contract runs until 2022, by which time he will be 30.
In 2020, at the age of 28, Neymar will likely be looking to realise his dream of playing for Real Madrid, especially if he fails to win the Champions League with PSG between now and then.
If PSG have to let him go for €160m, they will make a loss of €60m on the initial €220m fee that they paid for him.
Taking recent high-profile transfers into account, it is not unreasonable at all to expect one of the world’s elite to cough up such a fee for one of modern football’s greatest entertainers. Who knows, it could even be a Premier League club who take advantage of the affordable release clause.
In the group stages of the Champions League this season, Neymar topped the charts for fouls won, take-ons completed and shots on target.
Neymar in the Champions League group stages (overall rank):
• 34 fouls won (1st)
• 32 take-ons completed (1st)
• 21 chances created (3rd)
• 16 shots on target (=1st)
• 5 goals (=3rd)Spurs' right-backs have been struggling enough already. 😰 pic.twitter.com/fFetapMxHb
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 13, 2018
