Neymar's eventual departure from Paris Saint-Germain is proving to be a long, drawn-out and boring affair as the summer transfer window for 2019-20 football season approaches its last legs. The Brazilian star, who snitched a sensational €222m move to France to move out of the shadows of Lionel Messi and achieve the Ballon d’Or dream, is attempting a move to Barcelona just two years on from that move. He wants a move back to the Catalan club or Real Madrid, whoever has the better offer. Paris Saint-Germain Get Humiliated For Leaving Brazilian Forward Out of Squad.

Reports now claim that PSG are ready to send Neymar on loan with an additional buy offer after the player refused to turn up for the French champions at the start of the season and has been attempting a forced move out of Park Des Princes. The 27-year-old did not turn up for the pre-season and has since been linked to a return to La Liga but more preferably club Barcelona. Neymar Transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona News: PSG Chief Leonardo Denies Any Progress in Star Player's Potential Return to La Liga.

But PSG’s demand of over $200m transfer fee for their star player is unaffordable for clubs let alone Barca and Real. Both clubs have spent heavily on new signings – Antoine Griezmann and Eden Hazard are the latest additions – and don’t look comfortable in splashing more cash. But the former is said to be making a last-gasp attempt to re-sign their former no 11 before the European transfer window closes on September 2, 2019. Both the La Liga giants are desperate to move in and get the unsettled Brazilian from France ahead of the other.

PSG, however, have rebuffed any player-swap deal with Barcelona for Neymar especially after Philippe Coutinho moved to Bayern Munich, while Real have been informed that the Ligue 1 champions will only accept a deal if Real involve World Cup-winning centre-back Raphael Varane and teenage prospect Vinicus Jr.

But reports have now emerged that with the European transfer window deadline approaching and a prospect of world’s costliest player refusing to take the field for them, club’s sporting director Leonardo has indicated that the club are interested in letting the player go on a loan deal if not a permanent move. A report from Goal.com stated that PSG have accepted the idea of loaning out Neymar with an obligation to buy next year. The purchase price will be around the region of €220m.

Barcelona are still the front-runners with the Blaugrana chiefs keen to reunite with their former star and please club captain Messi, who wants Neymar back at Catalunya. But Madrid are also on the move and wants to disrupt Barca’s plan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2019 04:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).