Guardiola: Neymar and Griezmann? Good players are always welcome Barcelona Expects to return to Barcelona sooner or later

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has indicated that, should they be able to pull it off, Barcelona signing both Neymar and Antoine Griezmann would be a huge coup for the club.

The Blaugrana seemed close to wrapping up the arrival of Griezmann, but the availability of Neymar - added to Lionel Messi's request that the club pursue him - has complicated matters, though there is talk that they could look to bring in both players.

"It all depends on the idea you have in mind with the sporting director and the coach," Guardiola said at the presentation of the Cruyff Court in Els Hostalets de Pierola, Barcelona.

"The good [players] are always welcome in any team.

"The two [Neymar and Griezmann] are very good."

There are mixed thoughts on Neymar's return to Barcelona, but Guardiola did not want to come down on either side of the matter.

"I'm not going to say anything, it's not my place," he noted.

"This is for Barcelona [to answer].

"I spent a lot of time at this club and I don't want any opinions to be misinterpreted."

Matthijs de Ligt had been one of the names strongly linked with the Blaugrana, but he now appears to be closer to Juventus.

"He's a good centre-back," said Guardiola.

"He's 19 years old, and the one who signs him will have a centre-back for years [to come]."

City have been strongly linked with Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri Hernandez, but the Catlalan was remaining tight-lipped on the 22-year-old's future.

"I have no idea," he stated.

"We will see. He's a great player."

When asked if Guardiola would ever consider going back to Barcelona as president, he told the reporters to forget about it.

"I will return to Barcelona sooner or later," he affirmed.

"But as president, forget about it. To be president, you have to know [what you're doing] and be prepared; to have knowledge that I don't have.

"I'm trying to be a good coach; that hasn't gone too badly in this decade.

"I will return to Barcelona to live, sooner or later."