Love Neymar as a player but Barcelona need to be realistic, asserts Victor Font
In light of rumours linking Neymar with a move to Barcelona, presidential candidate Victor Font has admitted that a move for the Brazilian superstar may not be possible. The 28-year-old has been perceptually linked with a move to the Camp Nou ever since he left the club for Paris Saint-Germain.
Few players have been linked as much as Neymar has been with a move to Barcelona and reports even indicated that the La Liga giants were close to a move. However, no transfer has ever materialized but with Lionel Messi reportedly on his way out, it has seen reports indicate that a move for Neymar could change that. Yet, the Argentine has been linked with a potential move to PSG with his current contract at Barcelona entering itâs final seven months.
Yet while Barcelona could make a potential move for Neymar in the upcoming transfer window, Victor Font believes otherwise. Font admitted, in a recent interview, that while he loves Neymar âas a playerâ, the move wonât be a realistic target for Barcelona. The presidential candidate further added that the financial aspect of the move plays a huge part and the club wonât be able to pay it.Â
âI love him as a player, I enjoy him because is pure talent but we must be realistic. From now on the club will have strong leadership. In addition, the club is how it is in a financial aspect and he probably wants a competitive salary - we can't pay for this,â Font told Goal.
âBeyond these facts, we canât forget about many other aspects. We are FCB and the club is more important than any one person. Neymar left us, he is constantly suing FCB, I think this choice is obvious.â
The biggest concern, however, for Barcelona is Lionel Messiâs future with the Argentineâs contract expiring at the end of the season. So far, the 33-year-old has shown no inclination of signing a brand new deal with the club and Font admitted that he believes Messi âcan be retainedâ. He further added that the Barcelona captain has been frustrated with the lack of a project at the club, something that Font is working to change.
âWe think he can be retained. Beyond his frustration, which is probably very high given the level we reached last August, there's his love for FCB. He always said he wants to end at FCB and his frustration belongs to the lack of a project This is exactly what we have been working on, to be competitive again. This is what we would like to tell him and I think he will give us an opportunity,â he added.