Guardiola backs 'very good' Neymar & Griezmann as Barcelona targets

BetOdds Transfers Barcelona Primera DivisiÃ³n Guardiola Antoine Griezmann Neymar

The former Blaugrana boss refused to be drawn into discussions over the players' futures but admits that the quality of two star turns is undeniable

Barcelona have been backed in their rumoured pursuit of Neymar and Antoine Griezmann by former boss Pep Guardiola.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been tipped to return to Camp Nou ahead of next season, just two years after departing in a world-record deal.

Griezmann revealed last month he is keen on a move away from Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, with Barcelona previouslyÂ close to signing him.

And Guardiola, who spent four years as Barcelona head coach before joining Bayern Munich and then hisÂ current side Manchester City, thinksÂ both players would suit the La Liga champions.

"It all depends on the idea you have in mind with the sporting director and the coach," Guardiola told reporters at a presentation in Barcelona.

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

Guardiola coached Neymar during his time at Barcelona, but he refused to get too caught up in the speculation.

"I'm not going to say anything, it does not belong to me," he said. "This belongs to Barcelona. â€‹â€‹I've lived in this club for a long time and I do not want any opinion to be misinterpreted."

Guardiola won the Champions League twice and La Liga three times during his time in charge of the Catalan giants, but the 48-year-old has no intention of returning in a boardroom position.

"I will return to Barcelona sooner or later. But as president, forget about it," he said.Â

"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."

While rivals Real Madrid have set about dramatically restructuring their team, Barcelona's transfer window has been a little more frustrating so far.

It had seemed inevitable that Griezmann would me backing the move to Camp Nou, but his transfer appears to have stalled in recent weeks with other clubs linked with the as yet stranded wantaway Atletico man.

But, with his transfer release clause dropping on July 1 - from â‚¬200 million (Â£179m/$227m) to â‚¬120 million (Â£107m/$136m) - the move could accelerate at the turn of the month.

2019-06-27 10:00:07

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