Barcelona sporting director confirms decision on spectacular Neymar reunion

Barcelona sporting director Deco offered a mixed response when asked about his side’s chances of a reunion with Neymar this summer.

Neymar returned to Brazilian side Santos in January and has since held talks with Barcelona over a shock reunion this summer as he eyes a return to a top club in Europe at the age of 33.

It was later reported that Barcelona had challenged Neymar to score 15 goals in the second half of the season to prove he is still good enough for such a level and earn himself what would be a free transfer as his Santos contract expires.

Deco was quizzed about a possible move for Neymar in an interview with TNT Sports and left the door open to a summer reunion – initially, at least.

“I support Neymar. I want him to be happy and his team needs him,” Deco began. “Everyone who likes football needs to see a happy Neymar.

“Ney is an important player. I think that if one day a situation like this [a reunion] were to arise, it would be good for him and good for us.”

However, he then went on to rule out an immediate move for Neymar, acknowledging the squad needs to be built with “the head”.

“Neymar was a phenomenon who passed through here,” Deco concluded. “He did what he did. He won what he won… Sometimes these stories don’t repeat themselves.

“They can repeat themselves, you never know… But I think that this is not the time for Barcelona to think about Neymar, nor for Neymar to think about that.”