PSG and Barcelona officials meet in Paris as Neymar transfer deal 'closer'
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VCG Photo

VCG Photo

Barcelona are "closer" to reaching a deal with Paris St-Germain for Neymar to return to the Spanish champions after officials from the two football powerhouses met in Paris on Tuesday. 

"We are continuing negotiations, we are closer to a deal," Barca director Javier Bordas told reporters following the meeting. But he also stressed that a deal has not reached yet.

According to BBC, both clubs say the talks were "positive" and there is "still lots of work to do," while French newspaper Le Parisien revealed that Barca have upped their offer to 188 million U.S. dollars, payable in two installments, possibly with players attached.

Neymar warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at Centre Ooredoo, August 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Neymar warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at Centre Ooredoo, August 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Spanish media outlet Marca suggested that Neymar was pushing for the deal to go through before the European transfer window closes next Monday. It also claimed that Real Madrid and Juventus are also interested in signing Neymar but the Brazilian superstar preferred reuniting with Leo Messi at Camp Nou. 

Neymar became the most expensive footballer in the world when the 27-year-old swapped Barca for PSG in a surprise transfer for 250 million U.S. dollars in 2017. But he has struggled to break PSG's Champions League hoodoo in two injury-blighted seasons and publicly regretted his decision to leave La Liga.