Tuchel: I’ve known Neymar’s PSG plans since before Copa America

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Neymar has wanted to leave PSG since ‘before Copa America’.

The Brazilian has scored 51 goals in 58 games for the Parisians since moving from Barcelona two years ago but has failed to settle in the French capital.

Neymar’s PSG future: Five key things to know…

• Neymar switched Barca for PSG for £198m in 2017.
• The Brazilian has scored 51 goals in 58 games since then.
• The relationship between Neymar and PSG has soured in recent months.
• This has led to links of a return to Barcelona.
• Tuchel has admitted he’s known of Neymar’s desire to leave since before the Copa America.

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Although Neymar – who missed the Copa America through injury – has often been linked with Real Madrid, a return to Barcelona is now looking more and more likely with tensions between him and his employers mounting.

“I knew that Neymar wanted to leave before the Copa America,” Tuchel told reporters.

“It’s all clear between us, now the issue is something between the club and Neymar, we work together, it’s something between the club and him.

“I’m always disappointed if a player is late (for training) but now we work together, with the players, he’s there, I do not know what’s going to happen, he’s my player and if he’s in the locker room he’s my player.

“Of course, I will work with him. I have to adapt to all situations and I must be flexible.”

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Despite the exit rumours, Tuchel confirmed Neymar had returned to training and expects the forward to join his teammates on PSG’s pre-season tour of China.

“Will he go on the pre-season tour of China? I think so,” he added. “Neymar returned on Monday and he, like the rest of the players, has to do the tests. intensive but necessary, because we must have the results for the planning, the others have worked a week to be ready to play, then Neymar will be ready to train.”

Neymar initially left Barcelona to escape the shadow of Lionel Messi and attempt to win the Ballon d’Or but has found himself competing with Kylian Mbappe for the limelight at the Parc des Princes in the past 12 months.

PSG kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 6-1 win over German side Dynamo Dresden on Tuesday.