Neymar is a “world-class” player but is unlikely to make an imminent move from PSG to Barcelona, according to Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.
Standard Sport reported earlier this week that Philippe Coutinho could be sold in the summer to fund a potential deal for Neymar.
Barca have previously ruled out a return for the Brazilian after he left under a cloud when PSG paid his release clause in 2017, but the club’s director of institutional relations, Guillermo Amor, said in November: “Anything is possible.”
Neymar would likely have to express his desire to return in order to facilitate a transfer back to Camp Nou, but Standard Sport understands that behind the scenes, the wheels are already in motion as the tumultuous transfer saga from 2017 looks set for a second instalment this summer.
But Valverde said of Neymar: “He is a great player, a world-class player, who is on another team and nothing else. Nobody has called me to tell me any different.”
Regarding Coutinho’s future, Valverde backed the former Liverpool midfielder – who missed a penalty against Levante in the Copa del Rey – to come good.
“Throughout the season you have days when you are more fortunate than others,” he said. “Coutinho has had great games and we hope he will continue to have them. He must continue to improve.”
