Barcelona’s vice-president Jordi Cardoner says Neymar wants to return to the club but he was non-committal on whether it would happen.

The Brazilian forward left Camp Nou to join Paris St-Germain in a world-record fee in 2017. However the 27-year-old has been linked with a move back to La Liga many times since and Cardoner is in no doubt the forward would like the chance to re-join Barcelona.

The club’s vice-president told El Mundo: “The correct thing is to say that Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, but I do not agree that Barcelona worry about signing Neymar.

“This issue is not on the table. I did not like them, many things to solve, we have to change the scenarios, there are uncertain comments that we have signed Neymar, we have not signed anyone, we have not kept in touch with him, he and many want to play for Barcelona.”

Barca have already announced new signings with keeper Neto arriving from Valencia and Frenkie de Jong coming from Ajax. They have also announced two departures in recent days with goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen moving to Valencia as a replacement for Neto and Andres Gomes has sealed a permanent move to Everton after playing there on loan last season.

Barcelona head to Japan this pre-season taking on Chelsea in Saitama before returning to Camp Nou to face Japanese side Vissel Kobe in a reunion with some former players with Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper all set to play against their former club.

The new La Liga season begins on August 16 with Barca 1.67 and Real Madrid 2.30. Barcelona are at 6.50 to win the Champions League next season with Manchester City 5.25.