Neymar trains amid reports of Barcelona deal but out of PSG’s next game

(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 4, 2019 Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar looks on during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. - Neymar failed to show up for pre-season training with Paris Saint-Germain on July 8, 2019 with the club announcing they would take "appropriate action". Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has warned Neymar and his other highly-paid stars that they must shape-up or ship out, claiming "celebrity behaviour" at the French champions will not be tolerated. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)

Neymar took part in training for Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday afternoon but will again not play for the French champions this weekend amid reports that an agreement had been reached that would see the Brazilian return to Barcelona.

The world’s most expensive player was the last to take to the training field in a session attended by a large contingent of journalists and broadcast live on PSG’s own television channel.

However, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed later at a press conference that the Brazilian would not play against Metz in Ligue 1 on Friday.

“Neymar is not with the squad because it is the same situation as before Toulouse (last week’s game). Nothing has changed,” said Tuchel, who also has Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani out injured just now.

Earlier on Thursday, Italian broadcaster Sky Sport claimed PSG had finally agreed to sell Neymar back to Barcelona, two years after signing him for 222 million euros ($264 million at the time).

Meanwhile, Catalan radio station RAC1 reported that Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu was in Monaco — where the Champions League group stage draw was due to take place on Thursday evening — and would take part in negotiations with PSG.

Neymar, the scorer of 51 goals in 58 appearances in his two years at PSG, has not featured at all for his current club this season amid the uncertainty surrounding his future.

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