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Xavi: 'Neymar not a summer target for Barcelona'

Xavi: 'Neymar not a summer target for Barcelona'
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi says that his club are not looking to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that he 'appreciates Neymar enormously as a person', but the Paris Saint-Germain attacker is not a target for the Catalan giants this summer.

The 31-year-old's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United thought to be exploring the possibility of bringing him to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that Barcelona were considering re-signing the Brazil international, who starred at Camp Nou between 2013 and 2017 before moving to Paris.

However, Xavi has revealed that the South American is "not a priority" for his club this summer, with the La Liga champions mainly focusing on midfield targets.

"In theory, he is not in our sports planning. I appreciate him enormously as a person, but he's not a priority," Xavi told Jignates FC when questioned on a possible deal for Neymar.

Brazil's Neymar celebrates qualifying for the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup on December 5, 2022© Reuters

Neymar scored 18 goals and registered 17 assists in 29 appearances for PSG during the 2022-23 campaign, but his season came to an end in the middle of February due to a serious ankle injury.

The forward still has another two years left to run on his contract with the French champions, but it has been claimed that he would be allowed to leave for the right price this summer.

Neymar played alongside Xavi at Barcelona between 2013 and 2015 before the latter moved to Al Sadd.

The Brazilian won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League during his time at Camp Nou, scoring 105 goals and registering 76 assists in 186 appearances.

Barcelona's Ferran Torres in action with Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal on March 2, 2023© Reuters

Xavi also discussed the future of Ferran Torres, who is being strongly linked with a move away from Camp Nou this summer in search of regular starts

The 23-year-old featured on 45 occasions at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, but he only managed seven goals and three assists, while he only started 14 times in La Liga.

There have been suggestions that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in bringing him back to the Premier League, and Xavi has admitted that the Spaniard could leave this summer.

"Ferran has to feel valued and respected by people. With him and with everyone we will have to decide what we do. We haven't done it yet," the Barcelona boss told reporters.

Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are leaving Barcelona this summer, while there has also been speculation surrounding the futures of Franck Kessie, Ansu Fati and Raphinha.

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Barcelona coach Xavi before the match on April 26, 2023
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