Barcelona accelerate Neymar talks with Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain winger Neymar in the wake of Real Madrid’s interest, claims RMC Sport.

Neymar is desperate to leave PSG this summer and the Ligue 1 champions left the Brazilian out of their squad for their league-opener at the weekend.

There are doubts whether Barcelona can afford to sign Neymar having already shelled out more than £100m to sign Antoine Greizmann from Atletico Madrid.

It is also thought PSG would prefer to sell Neymar to Madrid due to their poor relationship with Barcelona.

PSG signed Neymar from Barcelona in a world-record £200m deal two years ago and things have been bitter between the clubs ever since.

It emerged over the weekend PSG would consider a £149m bid from Madrid in addition to Luka Modric moving to the Parc des Princes.

Barcelona are desperate to avoid seeing Neymar move to PSG and are now in advanced talks with their French counterparts.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are reportedly even receptive to the idea of Philippe Coutinho being included in a deal that will see Neymar return to Barcelona.

Barcelona used the money raised from Neymar’s departure to sign Coutinho from Liverpool in an eye-watering £142m deal.

However, Coutinho has endured a miserable 18 months at Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde’s side are now looking to offload the 27-year-old.

Coutinho turned down the chance to join Tottenham on loan on deadline day for English clubs out of respect to former club Liverpool.

Neymar has not managed a full season with PSG after suffering serious ankle injuries in each of his first two years.

Despite that, the PSG No.10 has played a direct hand in 54 goals in 37 league games (34 goals, 20 assists).