Eric Abidal: 'Neymar always an option for Barcelona'

Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has insisted that Neymar will "always be an option" for the Spanish champions, fuelling suggestions that the club will return for the Brazil international.

Neymar was strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou during the summer transfer window, but the Spanish champions could not agree a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old has managed four goals in five appearances for the French giants this term but remains on the sidelines with the injury that he picked up during the October international break.

"A top player, who has a Barca philosophy and who is performing at a high level, will always be an option," Abidal told Mundo Deportivo when questioned on Neymar.

"From there, at the sports level we can make decisions, but the whole financial issue, there are things that you can reach and others that you cannot. The future will say. If it continues at this level, because the season is very long, I will not say that it will be option number one but it can be a clear option."

Neymar, who was also linked with Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, has a contract with Thomas Tuchel's side until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

During his time at Camp Nou, the South American scored 105 times in 186 appearances in all competitions, winning two La Liga titles, three Copas del Rey and the Champions League in the process.