Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi admits he ‘would have loved to have Neymar back’ at Barcelona

The Paris Saint-Germain star was set for a move this summer but no deal was found despite talks between the French club and the Catalans

Lionel Messi has admitted that he “would have loved” a Neymar return to Barcelona.

Barcelona were heavily linked with a move for Neymar throughout the summer transfer window, but could not secure a deal with PSG.

And Messi has confirmed that he was keen for the Brazilian to come back to the club.

“I would have loved to have Neymar back,” Messi told Catalan newspaper Sport.

“I understand those people who are against his return and it’s understandable for what happened with ‘Ney’ and the way that he left.

“But thinking about it on a sporting level, I personally think Neymar is one of the best players in the world and having him in our squad would increase our chances of achieving our objectives.

“But, in the end, it didn’t happen and we have to only think about the squad we have and focus on our goals.”

While their forward stocks have been boosted by the arrival of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, Barcelona were believed to have been pursuing Neymar right up until the close of the transfer window.

Though Messi commented that the additions of Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong give the side “greater depth”, he is disappointed to have not been reunited with his former colleague, despite Barcelona’s “spectacular squad.”

Indeed, though Messi has not spoken to the Brazilian since the close of the window, Neymar was keen to come back.

“I don’t know what happened with the board.

“I know that I spoke with Ney and he told me how things were going. He was desperate to come back.

“I don’t know if the club really tried or not. What I do know, Neymar was hoping it would happen.”

Messi is currently sidelined with a calf problem, and has missed the beginning of Barcelona’s season.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have begun the season poorly, losing to Athletic Bilbao and being held at Osasuna with Messi absent.

But Valverde’s star man will not be fit to return for Barcelona’s next game against Valencia on Saturday – and Messi could miss their Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund, too.

The Argentine has ruled himself is still training on his own and would not put a timescale on his return.