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double deal

Barcelona targeting TWO of the Premier League’s best players with Neymar money

Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard are on the Catalan giants' radar with Neymar's exit imminent

Barcelona are about to receive £198million in one chunk when PSG confirm the signing of Neymar.

The Ligue 1 club are on the brink of doubling the world record transfer fee in a deal that will give the Catalan giants some considerable disposable income.

Barcelona will also have a big Neymar-sized hole in their starting line-up.

Barcelona are set to pocket a staggering £198million for Neymar

Getty - Contributor
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Barcelona are set to pocket a staggering £198million for Neymar

It stands to reason then that the La Liga club will hotly pursue a marquee signing before the end of the transfer window.

The Sun is reporting that Barca chiefs are targeting Premier League stars Philippe Coutinho AND Eden Hazard.


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And the club are supposedly willing to splash all the £198million on their high-profile targets.

Barca want Chelsea superstar Hazard as a statement signing after accepting defeat in their battle to keep Neymar.

Philippe Coutinho is among the players Barcelona want this summer

PA:Press Association
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Long-time target Coutinho could replenish the Brazilian quota at the Nou Camp

But they still want Liverpool ace Coutinho as part of a sensational double raid of the Prem’s best talent.

Coutinho is being lined up as Andres Iniesta’s long-term successor in midfield — not to replace fellow Brazilian Neymar on the left wing.

And that has led them to prepare a bid of around £100m for Chelsea’s 26-year-old Belgian.

Barcelona eye Eden Hazard as the perfect replacement for Neymar

Rex Features
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Barcelona eye Eden Hazard as the perfect replacement for Neymar

A worker places a new poster up at the Nou Camp in place of a Neymar picture

AFP
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A worker places a new poster up at the Nou Camp in place of a Neymar picture

Now Barca chiefs are determined to respond to losing one of their superstars by recruiting the best they possibly can.

With Real Madrid expected to confirm the £160m signing of Monaco striker, Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona will spend the Neymar fee on strengthening their squad.

The attraction of Hazard is two-fold – he is one of the only players who can play in Neymar’s position as well as being a long term target for their bitter rivals Real.

With the Spanish champions focused on signing Mbappe, Barca see an opportunity to strike a blow by moving on Hazard.

Neymar's departure marks the end of the incredible MSN era at Barcelona

Reuters
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Neymar’s departure marks the end of the incredible MSN era at Barcelona

Barcelona claimed Neymar, who recently played in the International Champions Cup in the USA, was staying put until the dramatic events on Wednesday.

Neymar, who had been in China fulfilling commercial commitments until Tuesday, arrived for training at Barcelona yesterday with his father and representative and told the Spanish club he wanted to leave.

He was then given permission by Barca manager Ernesto Valverde not to train and to “sort out his future”.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde feels his squad has too many midfielders

Splash News
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Barca boss Ernesto Valverde told Neymar he wasn’t welcome at Barcelona’s training camp

Then hours later Barca team-mate Lionel Messi confirmed the move was on when he has paid tribute to the 25-year-old.

Messi wrote in an Instagram post: “It was a great pleasure to have shared all these years with you my friend Neymar. I wish you good luck in this new stage of your life. See you tomorrow.”

Neymar responded to the post saying: “Thank you brother.. I will miss you uncle!”

The Brazilian superstar has scored 105 goals for the Barcelona, helping to win two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and a Champions League crown.


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