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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Neymar to Barcelona? Club president rules out summer transfer for PSG star

Staying: Neymar will not be re-joining Barcelona, according to the club's president. (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Barcelona will not attempt to convince Neymar to return to the Camp Nou this summer, according to president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The 27-year-old left the Catalan giants in August 2017 to join Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record €222 million (£195.1m) deal.

Various reports in the Spanish press have suggested the Brazilian star, currently recovering from a metatarsal injury, is unhappy with life in Paris and wants to rejoin his former club.

But Bartomeu believes PSG's desire to keep their prized asset means they will have to concentrate on other targets.

"I have never spoken to them, nor have the father or player called me to return to Barca. They have not called," Bartomeu told El Partidazo de COPE.

Neymar celebrates scoring in the Copa Del Rey final in 2017, his last competitive match for Barcelona. (AFP)

"We are preparing for next season and the name of Neymar is not on the table.

"We are talking about a PSG player and I do not think that PSG want to get rid of a player like him."

Meanwhile, Bartomeu has spoken about the future of Philippe Coutinho after he was linked with Manchester United and Chelsea.

Coutinho has struggled to make an impression since his £145m move from Liverpool in January 2018 but the Barca chief is keen to keep the playmaker.

“It's not (possible), he is very young and we expect a lot from him," he added.

"We do not want to sell to Coutinho.”

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