It's been almost seven years since Neymar left Camp Nou, but his legacy still remains in the memory of many Barça fans. During his time at Barça, the Brazilian dazzled with his talent, becoming one of the great stars of world soccer. Since then, the Catalan club's management has tried to find someone with that explosive profile without success.
The possibility of a return has always been on the table, although it never materialized. Even now, with the option to sign him as a free agent, the club has decided to definitively close the door. However, that doesn't mean they have given up on the idea of signing a footballer with similar qualities, and according to Deco, that figure could be closer than desired.
The New Name That Excites
The Barça sporting director has put forward the name of Désiré Doué, a gem that many already compare to Neymar for his technique, agility, and ability to make a difference. At 19 years old, the French winger has earned the respect of all of Europe and has truly exploded in 2025, delivering brilliant performances with the Paris Saint-Germain jersey.
Although his adaptation to the Parisian team wasn't easy in the first few months, since January he has made an impressive leap in quality. Accumulating 12 goals and 12 assists, he has been key in important Champions League matches and has established himself as one of the most unbalancing players in the tournament. Therefore, his growth hasn't gone unnoticed at Camp Nou.
A Complicated Signing
At the moment, signing Doué seems unlikely. Barça's squad is complete in his position, and PSG has no intention of parting with one of their stars, for whom they have already invested 50 million euros. Moreover, his market value continues to grow with each match.
Despite this, Deco has recommended to Laporta to keep the radar active. He knows that Doué could become a medium-term target if the right conditions arise. Barça wants to avoid what happened with other talents that slipped away due to a lack of anticipation, and while today it seems like a utopia, tomorrow it could be an opportunity.