Neymar left out of latest PSG squad as Ligue 1 champions await clarity

Neymar remains absent from Paris Saint-Germain’s matchday squad in a sign the Ligue 1 club are yet to gain clarity on his future.

The Brazil international trained with the first team during the week but has not been selected to face Toulouse on Sunday.

His omission comes after Thomas Tuchel confirmed Neymar’s selection depended on PSG resolving the “unsettling” transfer speculation surrounding the world’s most expensive player.

“He has had a good week with his team-mates. However, the club’s position is clear: while his situation is unclear, he cannot play,” Tuchel said at Saturday’s pre-match news conference.

“If Neymar’s situation became clear tomorrow, then he could play.”

#PSGTFC

The Parisian squad to face @ToulouseFC tonight 

#ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/QcJDPNSTNp

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 25, 2019

Talks between PSG and interested parties Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly ongoing but the September 2 transfer deadline is drawing closer.

Neymar sat out the entire pre-season schedule due to an ankle injury that saw him miss the Copa America.

PSG won 3-0 against Nimes in their Ligue 1 opener before losing 2-1 at Rennes, having beaten those same opponents in the Trophee des Champions in Shenzhen.

Julian Draxler, a starter last weekend, is out with injury, joining Ander Herrera and Thilo Kehrer on the sidelines.