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#3 Neymar | PSG
Neymar left Nou Camp for PSG after the French club activated his release clause in 2017. He did so because the Brazilian wanted to shine beyond Messi’s overwhelming shadow at Barcelona.
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Five seasons have passed since then but Neymar has not been able to reach his Nou Camp levels in Paris. According to some reports, he even requested his old club to resign him.
Many believed that Neymar may have been Messi's perfect successor in the game but only if he was given the right conditions to flourish. At PSG, there is too much leeway in terms of club structure, something that has negatively affected Neymar's game at PSG. The same would not have been the case at Barcelona, as was proved by his successful first spell at the club.
After news broke of Messi joining PSG, Neymar was openly elated at the thought of playing with his former teammate again. However, Messi’s exit from the Nou Camp left a void that Neymar could have filled.
Already a Blaugrana favorite, the star's return to Camp Nou would have been a happy incident for the club. Capable of scoring brilliant goals and assisting his teammates, Neymar could've settled down with ease at Nou Camp.
#2 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund
Rumor mills have carried stories of Barcelona's intentions to bring the explosive Norwegian forward to Camp Nou. How the club could potentially carry out this transfer, especially with other European giants circling Erling Haaland, is uncertain. However, the Blaugrana might have had a much improved season if they had fought to bring in the Norwegian when Messi's exit from the club looked certain.
Haaland is reputable for his goalscoring abilities, both in Norway and the Bundesliga. While he does not fit the Messi-esque type of player Barca may be searching for, Haaland's ruthless finishing, consistency and pace would have sufficed.
With Messi out of the club, Haaland could've become the focal point in attack for the Camp Nou outfit.
#1 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Liverpool have seen a rise in fortunes in recent years. While much of it has been due to an influx of brilliant defenders, their ruthless attack has been key as well. Mohamed Salah is at the heart of the Reds' attacking affluence. His vibrant energy has seen goals pour in with consistency. Although he has yet to reach the bar he set during his debut season - 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool - Salah has remained a quality force for the club.
It may have been nearly impossible for Barcelona to pry the Egyptian maestro out of Liverpool's hands. But if they had, Camp Nou would be lit with Salah's goals and assists. Diminutive like Messi, Salah has the pace and dribbling skills to revive Barcelona's dwindling form.
His current return of 23 goals in 26 games for Liverpool makes Salah one of the best in the world. Barcelona may have had the closest thing to Messi had they brought in the Egyptian ace to Nou Camp.
