Barcelona are disrespecting their own players with Neymar bids, says Stoichkov
Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov has slammed the club for disrespecting their own players with bids for Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.
Neymar left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 but has been linked with a return to the Catalan club this summer, amid reports of unhappiness in Paris.
Will Barcelona re-sign Neymar? Five things to know…
- Neymar left Barcelona in 2017 for a world record transfer fee.
- The Brazilian has enjoyed a successful spell on the pitch for PSG, scoring 51 goals in 58 games.
- But he is being linked with a move away from the club.
- Barcelona have reportedly offered cash plus player deals to PSG to re-sign Neymar.
- But Stoichkov believes Barcelona are disrespecting their own players in doing so.
With the Spanish transfer window closing on September 2, there is still time for Barcelona to wrap up any deal for Neymar, though PSG are holding out for the right offer.
According to reports, Barcelona have made bids which would have seen one of Philippe Coutinho or Ivan Rakitic joining PSG in their attempts to get Neymar. But Stoichkov believes his former club are being disrespectful to their own players.
“Players offered to PSG? It is disrespectful,” he told reporters.
“For example, Rakitic is a great worker, a very humble boy who has never let his guard down and has always defended the interests of Barcelona.
“Coutinho? He cost a lot of money but has a lot of football in him and I defend him. Hopefully, no Barcelona player leaves.”
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Barcelona don’t need Neymar
As well as chastising Barcelona for the nature of their bids for Neymar, Stoichkov went on to claim the Brazilian would be a “bomb” inside the Nou Camp locker room were he to sign.
“Barcelona does not need Neymar,” he added. “He has no place because there are already important players.
“There are Dembele, Griezmann, Suarez and Messi. Where is he going to play?
“He would be a bomb inside the locker room.”
“For my part, I don’t want him to come back. Surely there is a group of players who want him to return and ask the president to make an effort but Barcelona will not move a single euro to return.
“They will not pay up to PSG.”
