Barcelona boss Hansi Flick's addresses Neymar return rumours as Brazilian sparkles at Santos

Neymar is currently being heavily linked with a move back to Barcelona this summer, with the experienced forward reigniting his career at Santos, scoring three times and registering three assists in seven appearances since returning to his first club in professional football.

The 33-year-old's Santos contract will expire at the end of June, and it is understood that his agent Pini Zahavi is currently in talks with senior figures at Barcelona, including president Joan Laporta, over a potential return.

Neymar allegedly views his current spell in Brazil as an 'audition', as he bids to return to a top European club.

Flick was asked about the South American during his press conference to preview Barcelona's Champions League clash against Benfica, but the German refused to give too much away, as he is focusing on the team.

Neymar is being heavily linked with a return to Barcelona

"It's not my job. I'm very focused on this team and the season. You have to be focused on the competition. The rest is the job of other people at the club, not mine," Flick told reporters.

Barcelona will face Benfica in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday, while they are fighting on two other fronts, with the team currently top of the La Liga table and present in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

As a result, Flick is not currently focusing on matters beyond the end of the season, but it is understood that a return to Barcelona, on a free transfer, is a serious possibility.

Neymar previously represented Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, scoring 105 goals and registering 76 assists in 186 appearances for the Catalan outfit, starring alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a front three.

The forward won two La Liga titles, the Champions League and three Copa del Rey crowns before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, where he managed 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 appearances in all competitions.

Neymar made the switch to Al-Hilal in 2023, but he only managed one goal in seven appearances for the Saudi Pro League outfit due to a number of fitness problems.

Should Barcelona re-sign Neymar?

The forward will be available on a free transfer this summer, while it is understood that he will not ask for huge wages, making a deal very attractive considering his current form for Santos.

Barcelona would make a significant amount of money through shirt sales if Neymar did return, meanwhile, so it would also make sense from a business point of view, and he could help bring the exceptional Lamine Yamal's game to another level.

Written by

Matt Law