Daily Times

NEW JERSEY: FC Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has said on Friday that team-mate Neymar can do better things at Camp Nou, as French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continue their chase.

Increasing reports throughout the week suggest PSG will pay Neymar’s €222 million release clause, but a deal has not been accepted yet, contrary to the earlier reports.

Talking to a pre-match press conference in United States (US), Busquets said that Neymar realises where he is and no place is better for the 25-year-old than Barca.

“There’s nothing for me to tell Neymar, he already knows where he is. He can’t be anywhere better. I hope he stays for many years,” he said.

The 29-year-old further added that he does not know what the future holds for Neymar and the club, adding that only the player knows what is ahead for him.

“I don’t know, it’s a question for him, like the manager Ernesto Valverde said, this is a time of rumours, news stories. … I don’t know what will happen, only Neymar knows,” added Busquets.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Velverde dismissed claims of the Brazilian’s move to Paris, marking them as mere rumours.

“This is a time of rumours. Neymar is with us and we absolutely want him to stay here,” said Valverde.

The Brazilian captain is yet to comment on the transfer saga, but stressed on his social media account that family comes first.

Neymar’s father Neymar Santos Sr has played influential role in the player’s transfer to Barcelona in 2013, and will reportedly meet the PSG director Antero Henrique to discuss his son’s future.

Despite rumours, Neymar continues to train with the team, as Barca look to kick their pre-season off against Juventus on Saturday.