Barcelona rule out Neymar return 'as things stand' despite Brazilian's attempts to force Nou Camp return

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner has poured cold water on a possible Camp Nou return for Neymar, saying a move for the Paris Saint-Germain forward is “ruled out” for now.

Neymar left Barca under a cloud in 2017 to join PSG in a world-record €222 million deal, but the transfer has not worked out as planned and the Brazilian is now keen on moving back to the Catalan club.

“We are passive actors,” Cardoner told TV3. “He is not happy in Paris and it’s a situation he has to resolve in Paris. As of today, there is no case, as the president said.”

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu was asked about Neymar during Frenkie de Jong’s unveiling last month and said there was “no Neymar case”, although he did not rule out a move for the 27-year-old and on Sunday did not rule out further additions.

“We have all the armament we need to challenge for La Liga and in the Champions League,” Cardoner said.

“We don’t have to speak about him, we have to respect players and clubs.

"There is no Neymar case and, if there is one day, we will talk about it.”

Pressed on whether the Brazilian’s signing had been ruled out, Cardoner said: “As things are today, yes.”