Barcelona Transfer News: Carles Puyol Comments on Neymar, Angel Di Maria Rumours

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol has said Neymar must move swiftly to clarify his intentions after being linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Jaime Rincon of Marca (adapted by Padraig Whelan), the former Blaugrana captain proclaimed the Brazilian superstar must come forward and state where his future lies.

Puyol said:

"I don't know what's going to happen with Neymar. He needs to talk and explain what he wants to do because I can't control him or speak for him.

The decision needs to be made by him. I'm not responsible for the club so I don't know if they have already decided on what they're going to do.

I'm not sure if he dreams of leaving but it is getting harder for a player to spend his entire career with one team. Football is changing, even though there are special cases like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta."

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

According to RMC (h/t Get French Football News), PSG are close to pulling a deal for Neymar over the finishing line, with completion as soon as Monday or Tuesday.

Neymar has appeared sharp in pre-season and looks ready for the campaign ahead, whether that be with Barca or PSG.

The Catalan giants might already be plotting who will take Neymar's place at the Camp Nou, with Angel Di Maria linked with a switch.

DOUGLAS MAGNO/Getty Images

According to RMC (h/t Goal), Barca could target the PSG attacker if Neymar completes a €222 million transfer to the French side.

Per Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC's Michael Wade), Lionel Messi would be pleased to see his Argentina team-mate arrive to form a fresh attack in La Liga.

The 29-year-old scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League last term, per WhoScored.com.

Here is Di Maria in action:

Di Maria was a huge success in Spain with Real Madrid, and he has the necessary experience to hit the ground running as Neymar's replacement.

However, Barca are likely to look to a more youthful attacker as they consider a long-term rebuild under new coach Ernesto Valverde.

The Argentinian would be the perfect foil for Messi and Luis Suarez, but he would have a limited shelf life as Barca chase Los Blancos on all fronts.

It is also questionable if PSG would want to lose one of their best players as they attempt to reclaim the Ligue 1 crown from Monaco.