Neymar’s agent Pini Zahavi hit back at recent rumours claiming that his high-profile client had agreed to leave Al Hilal and return to his boyhood club Santos.

The former Barcelona forward returned from a year-long injury absence at the end of October, but has understandably struggled to immediately rediscover his best form. Neymar’s long-awaited comeback was a 13-minute cameo and he couldn’t finish his second substitute appearance, limping off with a hamstring problem against Persian outfit Esteghlal FC in early November.

Neymar has been limited to less than 500 minutes of first team action in almost 18 months at Al Hilal, prompting some outlets to suggest that the 32-year-old was eyeing up a move away from Saudi Arabia. A transfer back to Santos in Brazil was widely reported, but the player’s representative was quick to quash those false claims.

“There are no talks ongoing for Neymar to leave Al Hilal,” Zahavi exclusively told Fabrizio Romano. “He’s under contract and very happy there.

“Neymar’s father and me, we are the only people who can talk about Ney’s future. I don’t know where recent rumours are coming from.”

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira stoked the flames of speculation earlier this month when he offered an open invitation to the former player. “[We are] clear and objective, his father and his staff know it,” the official told reporters. “They know me, they know Santos. We have to wait because he has an active contract.”

Not all Brazilian clubs are interested in the injury-riddled forward. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira delivered a brutal explanation as to why her club would not be interested in Neymar. “I won’t accept us signing a player who’s unfit to play,” Pereira admitted. “I want someone who will come to join immediately, who can play tomorrow if the manager wishes.”

Neymar’s latest hamstring injury is expected to keep him out for between four and six weeks. The former Champions League and Copa Libertadores winner isn’t registered with Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad so couldn’t play any top-flight matches until January at the earliest.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD