Martin Montoya: 'Neymar wants Barcelona return'

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, according to the Brazilian's former teammate Martin Montoya.

Neymar, 26, scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barca between 2013 and 2017 before completing a world-record move to PSG in the summer of 2017.

The Brazilian has netted 40 times in 44 appearances for PSG since his arrival, but suggestions that the attacker is unsettled in France have gathered pace in recent months.

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Montoya, who played alongside Neymar at Camp Nou, has said that the attacker wants to return to Barcelona but admitted that the deal would be "difficult to get done".

"I don't know, I think it is difficult to get done," Montoya told Goal.com. "Paris is also a great team and I don't think they will let him to leave easily. Paris paid a big amount of money for him and I don't think Barcelona would pay the same price for him [to come back].

"I think Neymar wants to go back because he was really comfortable and adapted the three years he was at the club. He had a great connection with Luis Suarez and [Lionel] Messi, but I think it is very difficult for him to come back to Barca."

Neymar has managed 12 goals and six assists in 14 appearances for PSG this term.