Neymar: Barcelona will not sign Brazil forward in January - Josep Maria Bartomeu

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Neymar has scored 34 league goals in two seasons at PSG

Barcelona will not make a move for Paris St-Germain forward Neymar in January, says the Spanish champions' president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The La Liga giants spent all summer trying to negotiate a deal to re-sign the Brazilian, who moved to France for a world record 拢200m in 2017.

However, the two clubs were ultimately unable to agree a deal.

Asked whether it was possible for Barca to sign Neymar in January, Bartomeu said:"No. Right now, no."

Neymar became the world's most expensive player in 2017 when PSG paid him 222m euros so he could buy himself out of his contract at Barcelona.

The striker has scored 34 league goals in two seasons for the French champions, although injuries interrupted both of those campaigns.

Bartomeu dismissed the suggestion Neymar was the club's main target in the summer, adding that the possibility to sign him was a bonus.

Speaking to his he added: "Barca had already planned their squad.

"The opportunity to sign Neymar was one that came up in the market. His signing was an extra, it wasn't planned."