Gerard Pique has admitted he does not know for certain whether Neymar will remain at Barcelona.
Pique posted a photo of the pair at the weekend on social media with the caption: "He stays," but the defender has now said that was only his opinion, not fact.
The Brazil international is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain, and Sky Sports News have been told there's a 90 per cent chance the deal could happen.
Pique said in a press conference on Tuesday night: "My Instagram post was a gut thing. I want Neymar to stay. [It's my] Personal opinion from conversations I've had with him. It's my intuition.
"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, with Neymar set to be in the line-up, play a pre-season friendly against Manchester United in the early hours of Thursday morning in Washington.
Javier Mascherano joined Pique in saying he thinks Neymar will remain at Barcelona.
"It's a personal decision for Neymar. What Pique says is what everyone is feeling because of Neymar's quality and character,' he said. "We've all had a little chat with him because it's the group's desire that Neymar stays with us.
"The feeling is that Neymar will stay because he's so important to us all on a footballing and personal level."
Latest Stories
-
NPP is no longer strong, says Sammy Crabbe
19 minutes -
‘We’re not inviting anyone, just collecting data’ – Domelevo on ORAL criticism
21 minutes -
Dubik Mahama rejects proposal for further privatisation of ECG
44 minutes -
Joynews’ Ohemeng Tawiah sustains life-threatening injuries in police-illegal miners clash
49 minutes -
Residents of Nungua demand intensified police patrol due to rise in robberies
49 minutes -
Government urged to keep investing in technical, vocational education
50 minutes -
Privatisation won’t solve Ghana’s electricity challenges – Scientist
52 minutes -
CDD-Ghana condemns acts of post-election hooliganism
54 minutes -
Bono COCOBOD seizes trucks loaded with bags of cocoa, lumber
1 hour -
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Mahama suggests it must be Government-sponsored
1 hour -
Mahama is committed to working with 60 ministers – Edudzi Tamakloe
1 hour -
Mahama, Opoku-Agyemang hold crucial meeting with IMF
1 hour -
Mahama reiterates commitment to permanent peace in Bawku
1 hour -
‘Go to court if you think ORAL is unlawful’ – Domelevo challenges critics
2 hours -
‘The hypocrisy in Ghana is disturbing and nauseating’ – Domelevo on criticism of ORAL
2 hours