Barcelona Rules Out Neymar Signing in Summer Transfer Window, Prioritizes Other Attacking Options

Reports indicate that FC Barcelona does not consider Neymar da Silva, the Santos star, a priority for the upcoming summer transfer window, despite speculation about his desire to return to Camp Nou.

Neymar rejoined his boyhood club, Santos, in January after a brief stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, which was cut short due to recurring injuries. Since his return, he has scored three goals in seven matches, with his contract set to expire in June.

Although previous reports suggested that Neymar was eager to make a final return to Barcelona on a free transfer before the 2026 World Cup, Mundo Deportivo has confirmed that the Catalan club is not particularly keen on the move, as their focus lies on strengthening other key areas.

The newspaper revealed that coach Hansi Flick is prioritizing the signing of a new striker, with Alexander Isak (Newcastle United), Luis Díaz (Liverpool), and Rafael Leão (AC Milan) emerging as top targets. Despite Robert Lewandowski’s solid performance, scoring 21 goals in La Liga, Barcelona’s management believes additional reinforcements are necessary in the attacking department.

Reports also highlight that one of the reasons for dismissing Neymar’s return is his incompatibility with the club’s new transfer strategy, particularly due to his history of injuries and age (33 years old).

Meanwhile, Diario Sport echoed similar sentiments, stating that Flick aims to build a younger, more dynamic squad, making Neymar an unsuitable option. Additionally, Barcelona is looking to strengthen the full-back position to improve its defensive depth.