Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner has revealed that Neymar does want a return to the club – but the club are not interested in bringing him back.
Cardoner added that no talks over a blockbuster move have taken place with his team Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar, who was spotted swigging beers with friends in Rio de Janiero, is believed to be desperate get back to Barcelona after two years in France.
Last week, Neymar reportedly told Paris Saint-Germain he never wanted to play for them again but return to Barca.
He is said to have texted president Nasser Al-Khelaifi: “I do not want to play more in PSG. I want to go back to my house, where I never should have left.”
But speaking on Thursday, Barca chief poured cold water on the possibility a Neymar return, also revealing that no talks between the two teams have taken place.
He said: “It is not the time to talk about arrivals. We are in a process of departures – it is a period that expires on the 30th of this month.
“The correct thing is to say that Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, but I do not agree that Barcelona worry about signing Neymar, this is not on the table.
“There are many things about his departure that I did not like, many things. There are claims that we have signed Neymar. We have not signed anyone.
“We have not kept in touch with him, He and many more want to play for Barcelona. It does not surprise me that Neymar wants to come back, it has already happened before with others and sometimes they have returned – Cesc [Fabregas], [Gerard] Pique.
“Neymar is a great player, but the circumstances of how he left also have to be evaluated to see if this can become a reality.”
However, Barcelona legend Rivaldo has urged his former club, Barcelona to sign the Brazil international.
He said: “He has to take the decision now, not wait for another season. Leaving Barcelona was a very sudden and quick decision. Also, the PSG president has left the door open, if he wants to leave, for him or any other players.
“He’s a brilliant player who made a mistake in leaving Barcelona. I think it’s a good opportunity to come back, and if he comes back here, everything will change in his life, and he’ll have good possibilities.
“I think he’s done good things for PSG. [But] the league is not the same, like the English league or Spanish league.
“The French league is good but not so good for a player of Neymar’s level.”
