Neymar’s record-breaking 222 million euros ($A330 million) transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain is set to be completed this week with the French club poised to pay his release clause.
Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro was quoted on Spanish radio as saying PSG would pay the fee specified in the player’s Barcelona contract and his client was en route to finalise the deal.
The fee is more than twice the current transfer world record that was set when Paul Pogba moved last year from Juventus to Manchester United for a 105 million euros.
“They (PSG) are going to pay Neymar’s (buyout) clause today so that he can be presented at the weekend,” Ribeiro told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE. “They (Neymar and his father) are in the air now.”
The overall package will become the most expensive investment ever in a player with several media outlets reporting that Neymar is expected to sign a five-year contract worth more than 550,000 euros a week ($A818 000).
Events moved swiftly on Wednesday when Barcelona released a statement announcing that the 25-year-old had informed them of his intention to leave, and confirming the amount of his buy-out clause.
“The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the club in a meeting held at the club’s offices,” Barcelona said in a statement.
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Earlier Neymar arrived at the club’s training ground to tell team mates he was moving to Paris, Catalan radio RAC1 reported.
The Brazilian striker left the training area minutes later, it said, with the club confirming on Twitter he had been given permission not to train.
Neymar’s departure would end a four-year stay at the club, where he formed a formidable strike force with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Messi reacted to his team-mate’s imminent move by posting on his Instagram account: “It was a great pleasure to have shared all these years with you, my friend @naymarjr. I wish you much luck in this new stage of your life. Be seeing you.”
PSG are one of the world’s richest clubs following their 2012 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, an arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, which has transformed their fortunes.
Gavin R
Guest
Replace people buying with clubs and you're a little closer in very simple terms
lopr
Guest
It's confirmed now. With that money you could probably buy all Rugby League and AFL players, coaches and clubs in the world including the goal posts ;)
chris
Guest
But isnt the FFP about ensuring that the people buying don't spend more than their revenue? I imagine the 330 odd million spent is a small % of total earnings for the Qatari group.
lopr
Guest
Doesn't surprise me. French Football has been on the rise for a few years now. They want Champions League success. Ridiculous sum, but hey, it's Middle Eastern oil money. Better for us than if the sheikhs blew it on Lamborghinis ;)
buddy
Guest
I'm disappointed that Mel City didn't put a bid in for him! In all seriousness though we have a single player that costs more than the total A League? I hope the one player brings as much pleasure!
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Good bit of business by Barcelona. If a club like PSG is stupid enough to pay that sort of money why would you stop them. Neymar is an amazing talent but no player is worth that sort of money. I would rather build a whole team or buy a football league with that sort of money.
League table speaks
Guest
Some creative work arounds of the lame FFP rules by the sounds. Well played PSG, well played! :)
Gavin R
Guest
I dont care how any parties spin it; it's financial. He may have wanted to leave to be out of Messi's shadow, but he chose PSG for money. This makes a mockery of the FFP. I wonder how long this exorbitant spending can be sustained?
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
I still can't wrap my head around this move. I just don't get it other than from a financial standpoint. Why would Neymar want to leave a strike partnership with Suarez and Messi. Seems odd to me.