Barcelona manager refuses to rule out Neymar return

MSN could be reunited next summer

It looks increasingly likely that Neymar will leave Paris Saint-Germain next summer, with a return to La Liga the most likely outcome. Neymar has become frustrated at PSG, as 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé has become the team's star player in attack. His whole motivation behind leaving Barcelona was to escape Messi's shadow and become the focal point of a team that he would lead to European glory. That hasn't happened, and Neymar is reportedly regretting his decision to move in 2017. The Brazilian has reportedly offered himself back to Barcelona on several occasions recently, telling his former teammates that he misses them. Asked whether a return to Barça could be on the cards, manager Ernesto Valverde refused to rule it out, explaining that sitting firmly on the fence. Valverde attempted to cool the speculation surrounding Neymar, insisting that "We aren't in the market to sign players."

"Any time of the season is a good one to ask these questions but Neymar is at another team, it's all speculation," he added.

"It's a good topic for speculation, but we don't know what could happen.

"It's difficult, I don't know... We'll see."

Reports broke recently that Neymar has an agreement with PSG's board that he will be able to leave the club next summer if a high enough bid comes in, with the French club hoping to recoup the €220m they paid for the forward. Real Madrid are the other main contender to sign Neymar, with the European champions looking to fill the gap in the squad left by Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for Juventus in the summer. They reportedly have the money stashed away for 'operation Neymar' whereas Barça would struggle to raise the funds to bring him back, making Real Madrid a more likely destination for the 26-year-old.