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Sources: PSG pondering Neymar sale deadline

Paris Saint-Germain are considering setting a deadline to sell Neymar this summer, sources have told ESPN FC.

The potential transfer of the Brazilian superstar has become a frustrating saga for the PSG squad and the club this offseason. Sources say no decision has been made but there have been discussions internally about stopping all forms of negotiations with Barcelona, Real Madrid or any other club interested at a set date.

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There are 12 days left before the European transfer window ends and PSG have yet to reach an agreement for Neymar, who wants to leave the club this summer.

However, with an eye toward focusing on the season and reintegrating Neymar into the first team, PSG could declare the door closed for a move away.

Sources have told ESPN FC that, contrary to recent reports in France, PSG are yet to receive a concrete offer from Real Madrid. Juventus are also reportedly interested in having Neymar but likewise have not formally presented a deal to PSG sporting director Leonardo, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.

On the other hand, Leonardo has turned down two offers from Barcelona. The first offer of Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic plus €80 million was rejected last week. And Barca's latest bid -- a loan including a payment to PSG and an obligation to buy Neymar next summer for a total fee of €190 million -- was also rebuffed earlier this week.

Sources say the PSG hierarchy is unsure about Barcelona's ambitions, and they have questioned in private the Catalan club's desire for a deal to happen, with belief shrinking that Barcelona can afford to bring Neymar back to the Camp Nou. The French champions want to recoup a majority of the €222m they spent to sign the Brazil international two years ago. And sources say they believe they are in a strong position to negotiate because it was never their intention to sell Neymar, who is under contract until the summer of 2022.

Barcelona remain keen on Neymar as they see his signing as "strategic" and are expected to return to the negotiating table with a fresh bid in the next few days.

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu is on holiday in Spain, but he is keeping close tabs on the negotiations. He wants Neymar back at Camp Nou and maintains contact with the former Santos man's entourage as he prepares his next offer.

The Catalan club, however, has been waiting for Neymar to make a public declaration of his intentions to return to the club and, privately, the club's hierarchy is considering how far they can go with a bid which will be attractive to PSG and not significantly harm the club economically.