- Neymar made an emotional return to his boyhood club from Al Hilal this month
- The 33-year-old is reportedly still keen to play in European football next season
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Having secured a fairytale return to one of his former clubs, Neymar has his sights set on turning out at another of his old stomping grounds next season, according to a report.
The Brazilian made an emotional return to the Brazilian giants last month after his £130-million-per-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal was mutually terminated.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, Neymar made his debut for Santos in 2009 and won the Copa Libertadores in 2011 after scoring in the final. During his four-year spell, he made 225 appearances across all competitions, scoring an impressive 136 goals and registering 64 assists.
The 33-year-old’s second spell has been largely underwhelming thus far, understandable, given how much football he has missed due to injury in the past year.
But, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, the forward is already eyeing a move in the summer, with his former club Barcelona at the top of his preferred list.
Neymar became one of the most recognisable faces in the sport, staring for Barcelona before completing a world record transfer to PSG in 2017. He formed an iconic front three alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez during his four years at the Camp Nou.
Neymar secured an emotional return to boyhood club Santos from Al Hilal earlier this month
The Brazilian formed part of an iconic front three at Barcelona alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi
Barcelona sporting director Deco admitted that the club will prioritise signing a left winger this summer
He scored 105 goals and assisted 76 in his 185 matches for the Catalan giants.
The reporting out of Spain claims that Neymar’s return to Santos is little more than an audition for European clubs to prove that he can still be a consequential player in a top side.
Additionally, the forward also reportedly intends to cement his place back in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Barcelona sporting director Deco admitted this week that the club’s main objective in the summer market is a left winger.
‘We have players who can play in various positions: Olmo, Raphinha, Fermín… but it’s true that we might be missing a player on the left wing,’ he told Sport.
‘It’s not that it’s an absolute priority because Raphinha is performing perfectly and Fermín can play there even though it’s not his position.
‘If you look at the squad, maybe we could have one more player there.’
Neymar would be an attractive option if he is willing to remain on similar wages to what he is currently earning at Santos. The forward took a large pay cut facilitate the move.
Barcelona continue to be constrained in the market due to their ongoing financial issues.
