#SPORTS - Neymar, Brazil friendlies amid transfer speculation

Neymar was included on Friday in Brazil’ s squad for friendlies against Colombia and Peru next month amid speculation of a departure from Paris Saint -Germain and a return to La Liga.

Coach Tite’ s announcement comes as former captain Neymar appears set to leave the French outfit and head back to Spain before the end of the transfer window on September 2 , either with his former side Barcelona or Real Madrid .

The world ’ s most expensive player has been plagued by an ankle injury that ruled him out of last month’ s Copa America success .

Authorities in Brazil also recently dropped an investigation into rape allegations against the forward due to insufficient evidence , accusations which he had vehemently denied .

Tite said he had spoken to Neymar, who “ said he was happy ” , but he acknowledged that he was not doing “ tactical work . ”

“ I will not abandon an athlete of Neymar’ s level and quality, ” Tite said , explaining he wanted to give him “ playing time . ”

Brazil will face Colombia on September 6 in Miami and Peru — who they beat in the Copa America final — on September 10 in Los Angeles .