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PSG star Neymar 'can leave' after Brazil star fails to return to pre-season training

Dimitri Kondonis

Neymar’s proposed return to Barcelona has edged closer after Paris Saint-Germain admitted their star man can leave the club.

The Brazil icon is reportedly keen on a return to the La Liga club where he formed a strong bond with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Amid growing rumours of discontent in Paris, the 27-year-old forward has failed to report pre-season training.

And the Parisian club’s sporting director Leonardo said the world’s most expensive signing is free to leave the French capital.

He told La Parisien: "Neymar can leave PSG, if there is an offer that suits everyone.

"But to date, we do not know if anyone wants to buy it or at what price.

"PSG wants to rely on players who want to stay and build something big."

After an astronomical €222m move to the Ligue 1 giants in 2017, Neymar was portrayed as the man who could lead PSG to European dominance.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 04: Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and OGC Nice at Parc des Princes on May 04, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Neymar became the world's most expensive signing in 2017. (Credit: Getty Images)
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - JULY 05: The jersey of the Brazilian national team player, Neymar Jr, is shown during the San Siro jersey museum exhibition in Bogota, Colombia on July 05, 2019. An itinerant exhibition that has traveled for more than 25 countries, including China, Korea, Peru, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. The museum, named after the Milan stadium, gathers several garments that travel the world in just two suitcases, the assembly has printed the photographs of the players and each shirt is located on a mannequin. Several World Cup shirts will be in Bogota in the company of football players like Pibe Valderrama, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi among others. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Neymar reportedly wants a return to Barcelona (Credit: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar gestures as his arrives during his presentation to the fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on August 5, 2017. Brazil superstar Neymar will watch from the stands as Paris Saint-Germain open their season on August 5, 2017, but the French club have already clawed back around a million euros on their world record investment. Neymar, who signed from Barcelona for a mind-boggling 222 million euros ($264 million), is presented to the PSG support prior to his new team's first game of the Ligue 1 campaign against promoted Amiens. / AFP PHOTO / ALAIN JOCARD (Photo credit should read ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)
His arrival attracted a full stadium's worth of fans (ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images)

But, under both current coach Thomas Tuchel formerly Unai Emery, PSG have been unable to transform domestic dominance into European success - exiting the Champions League at the last 16 stage in each of the last two seasons.

And the club were left unimpressed by the Brazilian’s non-attendance upon their return to pre-season training.

"Paris St-Germain notes that Neymar Jr was not in attendance at the agreed time and place. This was without the club's prior authorisation," read a club statement.

"The club regrets this situation."

The former Santos star’s dad, Neymar Sr, is quoted as saying PSG were ‘aware’ of his non-attendance due to prior charity commitments.

Rumours have persisted that the forward is eager to return to Barca, despite the fact the Catalans themselves seem less keen.

With the likes of Frenkie de Jong and possibly Antoine Griezmann having already moved to the Nou Camp this summer - it remains to be seen whether they could afford the ‘suitable’ price tag PSG are chasing.

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