Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has revealed that he still talks to Neymar, but says it is up to the Brazilian to come out and speak about a possible return to the Catalan club this summer.

Neymar moved to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017 for a world-record fee of €222 million, a transfer which had looked unlikely after Pique posted a picture with the Brazilian on Twitter with the caption "Se queda" (He stays).

Two years down the line, Neymar is keen to return to the Catalan club and Barcelona are trying to put together a deal to bring back the Brazilian forward.

"He's a great player, who knows the dressing room, the city and the club," Pique said in Miami on Tuesday when asked about that possibility.

"[But] there were people unhappy [at how he left]. If the possibility arises, I would be thrilled to have him here, but it's a complicated deal and he's a PSG player now."

Pique was then asked if he still spoke to his former team-mate. "Of course we speak to him," he said. "But those are private conversations and it's not convenient to say what we talk about. In the end it has to be him that says what he wants."

"The years we spent with him, I can only say that he's a 'crack' on and off the pitch and we have to await developments."

With Neymar's future in doubt, his Brazilian international team-mate Philippe Coutinho looks to be heading out of the Catalan club as Tottenham lead the race to sign the 27-year-old on loan.

"I don't know," Pique said when asked about the former Liverpool player's situation. "I would like him to stay here. I want to see him happy. These are the last few days for transfers. I want him to be happy, it's his decision."

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Whatever happens in the coming weeks, Barca could be set to start the new season without Lionel Messi after the Argentine picked up a calf injury on Monday and missed the club's trip to the United States for the games against Napoli on Wednesday and Saturday.

"Let's hope he recovers as soon as possible," Pique said. "The calendar doesn't help. We have fewer holidays all the time, the seasons start sooner and finish later. We know how important he is, so let's hope he can take part in the first Liga game."

Barca kick off their Liga campaign against Athletic Club at San Mames on August 17th.