There have been some impressive pitch graphics in the pages of the Barcelona sports papers this week. Under the headline 'Neymar and Griezmann would fit' Diario Sport had Luis Suarez at centre-forward, in front of a line of three, reading from right to left Griezmann, Messi, Neymar.
There was no sign of Ousmane Dembele, who cost Barcelona £135.5million two summers ago. And there was no sign of Philippe Coutinho, who set them back a further £142m six months later.
More than an oversight, the exclusion of those two felt more like a home truth – both would probably have to be sold if Neymar really is to be re-signed.
Brazil star Neymar is pushing for a move to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain this summer
Those close to Neymar are keeping their man on the front page of the Catalan sports papers
Barcelona have already given Dembele's advisors face-to-face reassurance that he is not about to be sold and that Neymar, despite all the noise, is not coming.
But as Barcelona and Dembele both know only too well, all is fair in love, war and summer transfer markets – what was true in June might not be true in August.
For now Barcelona are still saying very little. It's those close to Neymar who are briefing daily, keeping their man on the front page of those Catalan sports papers.
Barcelona's stance has three bullet points to it: They certainly never planned to go for Neymar this summer (hence the soon to be official signing of Griezmann), they would find it extremely difficult to make any move for him work financially, and if they could find a way the board is still not united in believing that it would be a good idea.
Barcelona are expected to soon officially unveil Antoine Griezmann as their latest signing
But no one has closed the door, not privately and much less publicly. In part, that's because Barcelona would gain little from officially ruling themselves out. Relations are still very poor between themselves and Paris Saint-Germain – no players have gone between the two clubs since Neymar – and a statement would only calm the situation in Paris.
In part it's also because the idea of Neymar returning fascinates a part of Barcelona's fan base – the global part they are obsessed with keeping happy – and that has been enough to sow doubts in the boardroom – would it really be a poison chalice, or could it instead be a coup? Either way it will cost them money they currently don't have.
When Barcelona bought Coutinho they paid Liverpool €50m up front as a first installment. When they signed Dembele they paid Dortmund €70m up front as a first installment, PSG would not be as accommodating as Liverpool and Dortmund. When they signed Neymar in 2017 they had to deposit €222m in full to trigger his release clause.
Barcelona have given Ousmane Dembele's advisors reassurance that he is not about to be sold
But the Frenchman and Philippe Coutinho may have to be sold to fund any move for Neymar
'Le Parisien' has already claimed PSG will demand €300m for Neymar. Real Madrid have always understood that Neymar had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave after his second season for €222m. Either way Barcelona cannot produce that sort of money before the end of August.
They have already baulked at the asking price and wage demands of Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt and last summer they failed to get Griezmann because
