It’s bad news for Arsenal as Barcelona will look at bringing in Kylian Mbappé and Marco Verratti if they end up selling Neymar for a world record fee.

Reports in the Daily Mail have suggested that PSG are willing to pay Neymar’s full £196m release clause. Guillem Balague is sceptical, for once, claiming that PSG don’t want the move, Barcelona don’t want the move, and Neymar doesn’t want the move.

However, if the claims made turn out to be true, The Sun are suggesting Barcelona would spend the money on Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappé – two players Arsenal have been linked with. Verratti was rumoured to be on his way Barcelona earlier in the window before publicly stating he wished to remain at PSG.

It would therefore take a big offer to convince the French side to sell, but this is exactly the type of move a world record move for Neymar would help fund. Meanwhile, Mbappé seems to have decided on staying at Monaco for at least another year. A move to Barcelona could yet prove too appealing to turn down, however.

Ultimately, it all rests on the reliability of reports of Neymar’s potential £196m move this summer.