Neymar 'willing to take pay cut to join Barcelona'

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has claimed that Neymar would be willing to take a pay cut of €15m (£13.7m) in order to rejoin Barcelona in this summer's transfer window.

The Spanish champions continue to be linked with a move for the Brazil international, who has seemingly played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Balague, the 27-year-old is so keen to return to Camp Nou that he would be prepared to accept a pay cut of almost £14m to ensure that the deal goes through.

Meanwhile, the journalist has also said that key players Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez - in addition to president Josep Maria Bartomeu - are keen for the South American to re-join the club.

"The player is happy to reduce his wages from €38m net to €23m net," Balague told BBC Sport. "It is an interesting situation at Barcelona. They feel they have to try really hard to get him back.

"Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez want him back but also the president Josep Maria Bartomeu has two more years in his mandate and he wants to leave a big legacy. Can you imagine all those players that have been mentioned and Neymar as well?"

Barca are said to be keen for Neymar, who has also been linked with Real Madrid, to publicly state that he wants to return to the Catalan giants.