Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo has expressed the hope that Brazil teammate Neymar will return to the Catalan club, less than 18 months after his world - record transfer to Paris Saint - Germain (PSG).
Neymar has scored 44 goals in 49 matches for the French side but there has been speculation that the 26 - year - old is unhappy and angling for a return to the Camp Nou.
"Personally, I'm praying that he comes because he is a great player, " Arthur was quoted as saying by Brazil's Uol news portal on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
"That's unquestionable.
The more top qualify players we have, the better [for Barcelona].
But only he knows.
I don't how if there are negotiations and possibilities of him coming back.
He is a personal friend and a footballer who I admire a lot.
I'd be really happy if he came back, " he added.
Neymar won two La Liga titles, a Champions League title, three Spanish Cups, a Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in a four - year spell at Barcelona.
He became the most expensive footballer in history when he joined Paris Saint - Germain for 222 million euros in August 2017.