Valverde Awaits Neymar Relief And Messi Return
Zeeshan Mehtab Published August 30, 2019 | 11:58 PM
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has admitted he cannot wait for speculation about Neymar to end when the transfer window closes on Monday
Valverde also confirmed that Lionel Messi will not recover from his calf injury in time to face Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
Messi tore his calf on August 5 and his absence might have accelerated Barca's chase for Neymar, although reports in Spain on Friday suggested they may be unwilling to meet Paris Saint-Germain's demands.
With three days left before the market shuts, there is still time for a last attempt, with Barcelona director Jordi Bordas saying on Tuesday that an agreement was "closer".
"I am very much looking forward to the day the transfer window closes," said Valverde in a press conference on Friday.
"We can all then rest and know this is the squad that we have.
"On the issue of Neymar, I have nothing more to say. He is a player from another team, we respect other clubs and we'll see what happens.
" Messi has yet to play this season, despite returning to training with the first team last week.
Barcelona have denied their captain has suffered a setback and hope to have him available for the league game at home to Valencia on September 14, before their Champions League opener away to Borussia Dortmund three days later.
"The process of recovery continues as normal," Valverde said. "It is true that now the margins are small and we hope that for the game against Valencia he might be available.
"Then we start the Champions League and we hope to have him back for that but we will see how he progresses in these two weeks with the injury."Antoine Griezmann scored twice in Messi's absence last weekend as Barcelona bounced back from defeat to Athletic Bilbao by thrashing Real Betis 5-2.
Ousmane Dembele (hamstring) and Luis Suarez (calf) will also sit out the trip to newly-promoted Osasuna, who have started with a win away at Leganes and a draw at home to Eibar.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
Finance minister reviews progress on FBR digitalization
Israeli-fired unexploded bombs could take 14 years to clear: UN
US stocks rebound on tech earnings, London hits new record
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
6 minutes ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
7 minutes ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
4 minutes ago -
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
2 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
2 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
2 hours ago
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
4 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
4 hours ago -
Asia Cricket Week from April 28
5 hours ago -
Spanish football federation appoints Rocha as president
7 hours ago -
Father, son killed in firing
10 hours ago