Barcelona 'reactivate Neymar option' after Lionel Messi 'asks to leave'

This file photo taken on May 06, 2017 shows Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar gesturing during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Villarreal CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona [AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE]

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is planning to reignite attempts to sign Neymar amid the club's recent crisis.

Bartomeu ruled out a move for the Brazilian earlier this summer after admitting the coronavirus pandemic had put too much strain on Barca's finances.

However, the club are in dire straits after their 8-2 hammering by Bayern Munich and are now desperately seeking for answers to turnaround their fortunes.

Reports of Lionel Messi requesting to leave the club have not helped Barca chiefs in a dismal week for the club.

According to Sport, they view Neymar as the only player with the necessary star quality they can sign who can make an immediate impact.

PSG's Neymar celebrates with teammate Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting after his team's win in the Champions League quarterfinal match between Atalanta and PSG at Luz stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. (David Ramos/Pool Photo via AP)

Barca had been targeting Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez earlier in the window but now feel they need someone who they know is certain to hit the ground running in Spain.

Neymar's latest shining performance against Atalanta has given Bartomeu belief the forward is back to his best, making now the ideal time to bring him back to the Nou Camp.

While club finances are tight, Bartomeu is hopeful of tempting PSG into a sale by offering Antoine Griezmann in return plus a hefty fee in the region of £45-55million.

He feels the opportunity to return to France could prove attractive to Griezmann, particularly given he has been out of the starting lineup in recent weeks including the Bayern defeat.

Another option for Barca would be to raise the necessary funds by offloading several of their current crop of stars.

The likes of Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are all among the players said to be up for sale.

PSG are not keen on selling Neymar but Barca feel their hand could be forced if the 28-year-old pushes for a move.

One potential problem to that is PSG's run in the Champions League.

Already they have gone further than any PSG side has done previously and winning the competition would finally give Neymar the success and status he has craved away from Barcelona.