Neymar will not be heading back to Barcelona, according to coach Ernesto Valverde.

Reports in Spain suggested that the Brazilian could make a return to his former club from Paris Saint-Germain where he is currently injured – and reportedly unsettled.

But Valverde described the story as “a fantasy” as he held his pre-match press conference ahead of Barca’s La Liga trip to Malaga on Saturday (kick-off 23:45 UAE).

After their win over nearest rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend, Barcelona are eight points clear at the top – and still unbeaten in the league.

Malaga were the last team to defeat Barcelona in La Liga, with a 2-0 win last April.

Barcelona’s players welcomed a special visitor at their training session ahead of the match, when they were joined by Benjamin Suarez, son of striker Luis.