The Catalan newspaper Sport reported that Brazilian star Neymar Jr. has been given a final deadline by Barcelona officials amid ongoing speculation about his potential return to the club.
According to the newspaper, Neymar is eager to rejoin Barcelona during the summer transfer window and is willing to accept a reduced salary as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
While Sport, which is known for its close ties to Barcelona’s management, did not disclose its sources, it cited a message from the club to Neymar: “Score 15 goals with Santos first, and then we will consider signing you.”
The report further mentioned that German coach Hansi Flick has given Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, the green light to engage with Neymar—provided he meets this condition and scores 15 goals with Santos by the end of the current season.
Neymar returned to his former club, Santos, in January following a brief stint with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, which was cut short due to recurring injuries.
The 33-year-old, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a record €222 million transfer fee. His contract with Santos expires in June, and he has netted three goals in seven matches since his return.