Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde responds to Neymar rumours

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has responded to the transfer rumours of Brazilian football player Neymar, who moved from Camp Nou to Paris Saint Germain for a record transfer fee £200m 18 months ago. 

Neymar has repeatedly been linked with a move back to the La Liga champions but Barca coach said that the team management is very careful when it comes to talking about players from other teams. 

While speaking to media, Valverde said that Neymar is a "world-class" player but is unlikely to return from PSG back to Barcelona. 

"Neymar is, without doubt, a world-class player. He has played and shown that here before. And now he plays for another team (Paris Saint-Germain). And that's it. That's it," said Valverde. 

"Nobody has asked me about it yet and I guarantee you that nobody has called to inform about such speculation," he added. 

Valverde also said, "It is normal that throughout the season there is always transfer news, gossip and rumours here and there. But he is a PSG player. We respect him a lot as well as PSG." 

The sale of Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla has freed up a spot in Barcelona squad and Luis Suarez now finds himself with no backup, leaving Ernesto Valverde seeking another striker.

"We have an empty space following the exit of Munir (El Haddadi, who joined Sevilla)," said Ernesto Valverde.

"The transfer market is open and we will see if we can bring in a new player in an attacking position," he added. 

Meanwhile, as per the media reports, Neymar, who struggled to settle in the French club, has denied the transfer rumours.