Gerard Pique, third from right, hopes Neymar, second right, will choose to stay at Barcelona. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo
Gerard Pique, third from right, hopes Neymar, second right, will choose to stay at Barcelona. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo
Gerard Pique, third from right, hopes Neymar, second right, will choose to stay at Barcelona. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo
Gerard Pique, third from right, hopes Neymar, second right, will choose to stay at Barcelona. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo

Gerard Pique unsure if Neymar will stay or leave Barcelona


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Gerard Pique concedes he does not know for sure whether Neymar will stay at Barcelona amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar has been the subject of speculation this summer, with reports that PSG had agreed to activate his release clause of almost £200 million (Dh958.9m).

Barca defender Pique on Sunday posted a message on social media which appeared to suggest the Brazil forward had committed his future to the Nou Camp.

Pique posted a picture of himself with Neymar, along with the simple message "se queda", which translates as "he stays".

It is a move that could potentially alter the landscape of European football, according to football writer Richard Jolly.

However, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday night, Pique acknowledged his opinion was not definitive.

"My Instagram post was a gut thing. I want Neymar to stay. It's my intuition," Pique, 30, said. "It was nothing official, it doesn't depend on me. Only Neymar can say what will happen, but I hope he stays.

"I try to explain to Neymar, as a team-mate and a friend, the situation he's in. I would say don't go to a league which, with all due respect, is not as good."

Barcelona are in the United States on a pre-season tour and Neymar is expected to face Manchester United in the early hours of Thursday morning.

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