Paris Saint-Germain revealed on Saturday that Neymar transfer talks are “more advanced than before” after the Brazilian was dropped for the French champions’ opening Ligue 1 match.

Sporting director Leonardo confirmed to reporters that the Brazilian is near the exit door but that PSG were “not yet ready to give their approval (to the transfer)” ahead of today's game against Nimes at the Parc des Princes.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said: “Neymar did not complete training and it’s not possible that he plays on Sunday (today).”

The club are impatient for the transfer saga to reach a conclusion, one way or another.

“It’s important to shape our future for everyone,” Neymar’s fellow Brazilian Leonardo told a press conference.

“If he stays, he plays. If he leaves, he leaves. The quicker (we know) the better.”

Real Madrid or a return to Barcelona are the most likely destinations for the world’s most expensive footballer, with Spanish media on Friday saying that Zinedine Zidane’s side will battle Barca for the 27-year-old’s signature.

Sports newspaper AS claimed Neymar has been offered to Madrid by PSG, who are open to selling if they can either recoup the 222 million euros ($249 million) they spent on him in 2017 or receive half that amount with players included in the deal.

Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo says that he would prefer a move back to Catalonia to play alongside former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Neymar started the new season by angering the  club when he turned up one week late for training.

The player’s camp maintained he had a prior agreement to stay away but that didn’t wash with his employers who threatened to take “appropriate action”.

 In total, he has scored 51 goals in 58 games for the capital side, winning two Ligue 1 titles and the 2018 French Cup and French League Cup.