Barça: Setién welcomes Neymar interest, prioritises "happy" Messi
"That's good," Barcelona head coach Quique Setién said when asked about Neymar's apparent desire to reunite with the LaLiga giants.
Quique Setién declared Neymar's interest in a Camp Nou comeback to be good news as the Barcelona boss detailed his desire to keep Lionel Messi happy.
Brazil international Neymar attempted to engineer a return to his former employers last year and, though seemingly now fully committed to Paris Saint-Germain, his future could still lay in LaLiga.
"If I can watch Neymar every day, just imagine"
Barça have been tipped to reignite negotiations further down the line and their new head coach would welcome the star forward's arrival.
"That's good," Setién told Mundo Deportivo when asked about Neymar's desire for a second Barca stint.
"I love to watch and have great footballers and if I can watch Neymar every day, just imagine."
Barça captain Messi was among those pushing hardest for his former team-mate's return, admitting he would have "loved" the transfer to go ahead.
The 32-year-old claimed "some people were against" moving for Neymar despite the boost he could have given in their pursuit of yet more trophies.
On Messi: "I hope we make him so happy that he is looking forward to staying"
Setién is hopeful the mercurial Messi continues to feel enthusiastic about life in Catalonia, with his contract due to expire next year.
"I hope we make him so happy that he is looking forward to staying," the Blaugrana boss said in a separate interview with Sport. "He will be here in the future, I have no doubts.
"The talks have been very normal as with any other player. He is very convinced that we can win. He is perceived to be a winner and cares that things are done well.
"He takes interest in the talks. He knows he is an important part, one that can solve many games, but we have to rely on the team to be stronger."
Barça, second behind Real Madrid in LaLiga, host Levante on Sunday.