5 ideal replacements for Neymar at Barcelona

FC Barcelona have now confirmed that Neymar has informed them that he wants to leave. The Catalan side are waiting for him or Paris Saint-Germain to activate the release clause and only then allow him to leave.

The void left by Neymar in the Barcelona starting XI will be a very difficult one to fill but Ernesto Valverde now has to find the ideal one who can minimize the loss. Here are 5 players who can be targetted by Barcelona:

#5 - Eden Hazard

Hazard-Suarez-Messi?

Chelsea have a gem in the form of Eden Hazard and it's not a surprise that Real Madrid have been chasing him for years now. The Belgian is considered as one of the Top 5 footballers in the world right now and rightfully so.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez need someone who can operate on the left flank with the same ambition and strength as they produce. Hazard would be the ideal one as he has all the skills, determination to win major honours and hunger for goals.

It wouldn't be easy for Barcelona to sign Hazard but with his contract expiring in 2020 and Chelsea not beginning talks yet, they have a good chance of luring him away. The Belgian, who can be signed for something around £100-£120 million, will be the closest anyone can come to replacing Neymar at Camp Nou.

#4 - Ousmane Dembele

Next Neymar?

There are a lot of players who have been touted as the 'Next Neymar' but the only one who can actually replicate what the Brazilian does on the pitch is Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman has it all in him to become one of the best in the world soon.

He is just 20 years of age and has shown his potential while playing for Borussia Dortmund last season. He has a lot to improve on but that is something Barcelona can help him in.

Alongside Messi and Suarez, he can continue his development and get better with age. If things go right for him at Camp Nou, he can be the best winger in the world in another 4 seasons.

He has already confirmed his desire to play for Barcelona and it's only a matter of time before he joins them. The Catalan side can sign him for less than €90 million.

The main thing common between him and Neymar is that both fight with their team-mates in training.

#3 - Kylian Mbappe

Madrid or Barca?

AS Monaco star, Kylian Mbappe is easily the hottest property in world football right now. The Ligue 1 side are demanding a fee over £100 MILLION for him and with Neymar moving for nearly £200 million, Barcelona can afford to sign him easily.

The Frenchman is just 18 years old but has shown the world what he's capable of. He scored 26 goals in 44 appearances for Monaco last season and managed to attract interest from all the European Giants.

He has been playing on the left-side of the attacking trio at Monaco and that's exactly the position he would have to play at Camp Nou too. This will be a big boost for him as he doe snot have to adapt to a different position and learn from scratch.

Real Madrid believe they have agreed a deal for Kylian Mbappe for a fee reported to be around £120 million. Barcelona will have to act fast and will have to convince him that their project is better than that of Madrid.

The French youngster is also a boyhood Madrid fan and it would take a lot for Barcelona to convince him Manchester City, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal have already launched bids for him.

#2 - Paulo Dybala

Time for a change?

If there is a player who is more suited to play with Messi and Suarez than Neymar, it has to be Paulo Dybala. The Argentine is one of the best attackers in the world right now and it would be ideal for Barcelona to splash the cash on him.

Juventus are a top club and reached the Champions League final last season. But if Dybala wants to get better, he has to switch to Barcelona.

The attacker, who is mainly a striker, can play on the wings. Lionel Messi has recommended him to Barcelona on several occasions and this is the right time for them to make the move.

Dybala has also been touted by Messi to be the ideal heir for him and also named the Juve star as the player who can emulate him. If the former Palermo star wants to reach those heights, he will have to join Barcelona.

#1 - Di Maria

Back to La Liga?

According to recent reports, Barcelona's #1 target to replace Neymar is Angel Di Maria. The former Real Madrid star is currently playing at Paris Saint-Germain and is 'surplus ro requirements' there right now.

The Argentine outclassed Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 and has been linked with a move to Camp Nou ever since. The player knows that he set to lose his place to Neymar and is reportedly keen on leaving.

With PSG keen on selling him and the player willing to move, it would be very easy for Barcelona to sign him but he wouldn't be a long term solution. He's 29-years-old and the Catalan side can expect him to play at the same level for another 2-3 seasons, nothing beyond that.