Thiago Silva: My feeling is that Neymar will stay at PSG

Neymar was absent from the squad for the second successive match after missing the win over Nimes on the opening weekend.

Bringing Neymar back to Camp Nou is believed to be one of Barcelona's top priorities this summer, although PSG's reluctance to lower their €222m asking price has certainly made things hard for the Blaugrana.

"He is sensitive, so I will always protect him". Teixeira further informed how he fended off Madrid's interest for a young Neymar and tied the teenager to a professional contract despite his young age. Barca and Real would have to satisfy both club and player with any offer, and there are only 14 days to agree terms.

"Keeping him was essential to Santos, and to what the side went on to achieve with him at the centre of it". PSG may be resigned to losing Neymar and want to move him on but they would demand a significant fee for any loan deal and would also want a compulsory purchase at the end, rather than a straightforward option.

A return to Barcelona has appeared the most likely outcome for most of the summer but Madrid are growing increasingly confident of beating their bitter rivals to his signature.

Barca are widely considered to be the frontrunners to capture Neymar if he does depart Parc des Princes, with Ernesto Valverde's side keen to bring their former player back to Camp Nou for a reunion with Lionel Messi. The former Santos president, however, stopped short of stating where he would like his once Santos star to play next.

He added: 'Any team in world football that Neymar decides to join will be getting a top professional who will make the difference out on the pitch.

Leonardo, the PSG sporting director, has confirmed that the club have held talks with potential buyers.

It had been suggested that the La Liga heavyweights would look to include a player in the deal, but this offer would be only cash.