Barcelona defender Gerard Pique contacted Neymar last night amid talk the Brazilian could return to the Nou Camp.
Pique has been competing at the European Poker Tournament (EPT) in Barcelona and just 24 hours after helping his side to a 5-2 win over Real Betis, he scooped second place in a £22,555 (€25,000) buy-in event to take home a healthy sum of £318,364 (€352,950).
The former Manchester United centre-back has previously attended the event along with ex-team-mate Neymar.
But with the Brazilian attempting to force his way out of Paris Saint-Germain he was absent on this occasion.
However, Pique was keen to let his good friend know about his healthy winnings.
“For sure, yesterday I was very lucky to finish second and I shared it with him because I know that he loves poker, and so do I,” Pique revealed to Express Sport.
“We shared this hobby.”
Pique did not hold back when expressing his desire to see Neymar return to Barcelona.
“We have spoken yeah,” the 32-year-old added when asked if they also discussed Neymar’s potential transfer.
“But obviously it is a private conversation.”
Barcelona have sent officials to the French capital to try and push through a deal before the September 2 transfer deadline.
Pique explained how hard his team are working to get the move over the line.
“I don’t know. It is pretty difficult to know. I know that the club are working very hard to get him,” Pique said.
“It is not easy, he is not a player of Barcelona right now.
“I can just say let’s see what happens in the next week.
“Let’s see if he comes back.”
In Neymar’s absence, Pique was joined at the ETP Barcelona on Monday by team-mate Arturo Vidal and the Chilean finished in a respectable fifth place taking home £121,319 (€134,460).
