Barcelona May be Looking to Sell Neymar, says Sky Sports Correspondent

May 11, 2016

Sky Sports correspondent Terry Gibson argues that Barcelona superstar Neymar could be heading for the exit this summer, due to several elements at play.

(Image credit: Yahoo Sports)

With constant speculation surrounding the Brazilian’s future, it’s no wonder the football world is scrutinizing his potential transfer away from the Nou Camp. “If you asked me two months ago if Neymar would stay at Barcelona, I would have said there was no chance he would leave,” said Terry Gibson – former football player and current correspondent. “I’m beginning to wonder now whether there is a possibility if a club came in.”

He mentioned that Barcelona may be contemplating selling the 24-year-old forward due to the planned renovation of the Nou Camp, which is set to have a cost of €600 million, according to the club’s website. “We’ve heard the stories about the stadium and the impact this may have on the finances at Barcelona. If Barca had to sell one of Messi, Neymar or Suarez then I think it would be Neymar.”

“Neymar is the best age to sell, he’s 24 so he’s got a long time left to play,” stressed Gibson. “You would do everything you could to keep Messi and Suarez so Neymar is the possibility.” Neymar’s current buy-out clause stands at around €200 million, which would aid the Catalan side’s financial worries, if they were to sell him to some other club.

So far this season, the Brazilian forward has scored an impressive 30 goals in 47 appearances for the Catalan side, and he achieved this feat by playing from the wing. However, Gibson points to the fact that Neymar could have contributed even more in front of goal, but has seen his form drop in recent games, managing to find the back of the net only 3 times in his last 9 outings.

Gibson said, “Neymar has been good – great at times – but he should be doing better and he should be closer to Messi and Suarez in the goal charts.”

Furthermore, on occasion it has appeared the Barcelona support are more fond of his dribbling skills than his attacking prowess. “The crowd at Barcelona indulge him a little too much at times. There were three back-heels against Espanyol that were a complete waste, but they drew a big, sharp intake of breath form the 90,000-odd people at the Nou Camp. It was pointless,” said the former Tottenham and Coventry forward.

Barcelona will next face Sevilla in the Copa del Rey final on May 22, against whom they should likely defend their cup title, after clinching it last year by defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-1. Online sportsbook Bet365 gives them favourite odds 1.25 (1/4), while the Andalusians are heavy underdogs 10.00 (9/1). A tie between the two stands at 6.00 (5/1), but we, at Betting Herald, believe that Luis Enrique’s men will overcome Sevilla with relative ease.

(For more details about the online sportsbook, have a look through our Bet365 Sports Review.)