Josep Maria Bartomeu opens up on Barcelona's failed Neymar pursuit

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that his club "did everything possible" in an attempt to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old was consistently linked with a return to Barca, having allegedly made it clear that he wanted to leave the French champions before the European transfer deadline.

The Catalan giants were ultimately unable to secure a deal for the Brazil international, but Bartomeu has played down suggestions that his club did not push hard enough to re-sign the attacker.

The Barca president has also ruled out a move for the South American during the January transfer window, in addition to claiming that "other clubs were also negotiating with PSG" for the former Santos youngster.

"Neymar can't join Barca in January, and the Barca dressing room doesn't decide anything," Bartomeu told Barca TV. "We did everything possible to sign Neymar. We didn't offer any specific player in exchange. We did talk about exchanges but all the names were given by PSG.

"Without an exchange of players, the offer was to loan Neymar for a year with a mandatory purchase option at the end of the season.

"I know other clubs were also negotiating with PSG. At one point during the negotiations, Neymar asked PSG to only negotiate with Barca. He decided only to join Barca. Neymar did what he had to do, he told his club about his decision, he did everything possible, but this year he will play at PSG."

La Liga president Javier Tebas has claimed that Neymar could retire at PSG due to the finances that would be required to bring the forward back to Spain.