Ernesto Valverde again denies Neymar speculation

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has again denied suggestions that Brazilian forward Neymar is heading for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record move this summer.

PSG are said to be preparing to activate Neymar's release clause, which is believed to stand in the region of £196m.

Neymar started Barcelona's first pre-season friendly against Juventus on Saturday night, scoring twice for the Spanish giants in their 2-1 win, before netting the only goal of the match against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

Widespread reports have claimed that the 25-year-old will move to France in this summer's transfer window, but Valverde, speaking after the clash with United, has said that the attacker is "very happy" with Barcelona.

"Neymar was very happy... speaking with some friends from Manchester," Valverde told reporters. "He's here with us, he's fine."

The former Santos attacker has scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barcelona since joining the Catalan outfit in the summer of 2013.