Neymar Reveals The Two Players He Hopes Barcelona Sign This Summer

Barcelona are set to experience a transitional summer following the appointment of their new head coach, while they also recruit new signings ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

The Catalans continue to be linked with some of the finest talents in world football. Barcelona are heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele, among others.

And if Neymar had his way, he'd like to see two specific players head to the iconic Camp Nou. The first of two players is not only a Brazilian compatriot but also a player who's currently plying his trade with his former club, Santos.

Neymar is hoping to convince Lima to make the switch to Barcelona. But the club appear to be closing in on the signing of the 26-year-old attacker.

"I am only encouraging him to come to Barcelona, but I've not decided anything or proposed anything to anyone. All I can say is that I hope everything works out for him," Neymar told ESPN via Give Me Sport.

(Here's a brilliant compilation Caio Football put together of Lima in action:)

_{Credit: YouTube}

"He is a guy I admire a lot - he's a good friend and I hope he's happy wherever he plays, but I would like it if it was Barca."

"I hope he comes, because he would be a good player for us and he would be received with open arms."

As well as Lima, Neymar reveals he'd love it if Marco Verratti swapped Paris for Barcelona.

"Of course I would like [Verratti] to come to Barcelona -- I would love it," Neymar continued to say.

_{Verratti and Messi vying for the ball. Future teammates? Image: PA}

Barcelona came up against the Italian midfielder in last seasons Champions League so he, and the team, are aware of his undeniable talent.

"He's a top player with incredible technical quality. He has the profile and the right qualities to play with us at Barca."

"If we sign Verratti, I'm convinced that the whole team will be delighted to welcome him because he's an amazing player."

The 24-year-old has claimed he'll remain with the French giants as long as they bring in 'champions' in this window. But Verratti remains heavily linked with a move to Barcelona as they view him as an ideal replacement for Xavi.

Lima and Verratti to Barcelona? Watch this space.

Topics: Barcelona, Neymar

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@https://twitter.com/NasJabbar