Real Madrid could scupper Barcelona's attempt to recapture former striker Neymar by entering the race to rescue the wantaway Brazilian from his unhappy spell at French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Just two years after PSG's long pursuit of Neymar culminated in the Le Parisiens spending a world-record €222m (£200m) on their number one target, the striker is widely believed to be ready to leave the Parc des Princes.
According to Sport, Madrid president Florentino Perez made the signing of Neymar his next priority after securing the return of club icon Zinedine Zidane as manager in March.
Madrid were in the running to sign Neymar before he initially joined Barcelona in 2013, and the intervention of Perez could concern the Spanish champions should their rumoured attempt to bring the forward back to the Camp Nou materialise.
The report suggests that Madrid failed to reach an agreement on wages with Neymar during an attempt to sign him in May - and that Neymar has already reached a verbal agreement with Barca.
Neymar and PSG had an underwhelming 2018-19 season, comfortably winning Ligue 1 but exiting the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage against Manchester United.
Madrid, who crashed out at the same stage of the Champions League in a shock defeat to Ajax, have been seeking a talisman since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus last July.
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