Carlos Puyol has hinted that he could yet remain at Barcelona this summer.

The long-serving centre-back revealed earlier this year that he would leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season on a free transfer.

The Catalan outfit had a number of transfer targets in mind to replace the veteran, but their plans have been thrown into doubt following a FIFA sanction that, as it stands, prevents the club from signing players in the next two transfer windows.

"I'll only stay if I can help. The club is already trying to resolve the matter and my intentions remain the same, because all I want is to be at my best level and help the team," Inside Spanish Football quotes Puyol at a press conference.

"That's been harder for me to do and another year like this, can't happen.

"I've not made any decision over my future yet. I'll decide towards the end of the month, because it's a difficult decision to make. Also, I'm totally focused in finishing the season well."

Puyol has not played for Barca since the beginning of last month.