Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti stated Neymar ‘had his reasons’ for leaving the club for Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.
The Brazilian forward left the Catalan club for a world record €222m fee after the Parisians activated his release clause at the Camp Nou.
“Am I surprised? Yes and no – an important player leaving Barcelona is odd,” Umtiti told reporters whilst on international duty with France.
“This is a very big club but he had his reasons, the most important thing is the team and the club.
“If a player wishes to move elsewhere then you have to accept it and focus on our collective goals.
“Honstly, he told us the day he left to sign in Paris.”