By Daily Sports on July 22, 2017

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde swatted down talk of star striker Marne departing for a world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, dismissing "rumours" on Friday and saying the squad wants him to stay.

Amid reports Neymar's future at the Camp Nou is in doubt, Valverde says the Brazil international is beloved and wanted at Barca for years to come.

Neymar's decision to post a photo of himself in thoughtful contemplation sparked a fresh wave of speculation that he is on the verge of sealing a world record €222-million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Instagram picture, even accompanied by a matching emoji, shows the 25-year-old Brazilian superstar stretched out on the pitch with his chin resting on his left hand.

It garnered more than 1.5 million 'likes' within 12 hours of it being posted in the United States where Barcelona are on a pre-season tour.

But Barcelona manager said: "This is a time of rumours. We understand it's how it is," Valverde said. "He is with us right now. One of us. It's a player we love and we want. Not only football-wise, but also for the things he brings to the locker room."

It's only rumours. There's no need to worry about something we don't know if it's going to happen or not. If it happens in the future, we'll see. But no need to worry about it now."

The comments came as Barcelona opened a US exhibition tour to prepare for the upcoming campaign.They face Juventus on Saturday in New Jersey, Manchester United on Wednesday in suburban Washington and El Clasico rival Real Madrid in Miami on July 29.

Barcelona midfielder and captain Sergio Busquets also shrugged off talk of Neymar departing as rumour.

"It's a period of rumours and there's a lot of news going on," Busquets said. "He's the only one who knows. If he has to say something he will. There's nothing I have to tell him. He already knows where he is. I don't think he could be in any better place. I hope he stays here for many years."

•Photo shows Neymar.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 22, 2017

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