Catalan giants give Brazilian forward permission to discuss PSG move, but insists his buy-out clause of 222 million pounds be paid in full before departure
In his three seasons at Camp Nou, Neymar helped Barca win La Liga twice, the Champions League once, the Copa del Rey on three occasions and the FIFA Club World Cup. Pic/AFP
In his three seasons at Camp Nou, Neymar helped Barca win La Liga twice, the Champions League once, the Copa del Rey on three occasions and the FIFA Club World Cup. Pic/AFP
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Barcelona have given Neymar permission to discuss a move away from the club but will insist his buy-out clause of 222million euros (£198.5million) is paid in full. The Brazil forward, heavily linked with a move to Paris St Germain, made a brief visit to Barca's training ground on Wednesday to inform them of his wish to leave the club, departing before their training session began.
A club statement read: "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.
"Faced with this position, the club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222million euros, which will have to be deposited in its entirety.
Neymar can miss training
Furthermore, in reply to the claim for the contract extension bonus, the club has once again made it clear that the amount remains deposited with a notary until the case is resolved. "The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions." The former Santos player has a contract with Barca until 2021 but PSG, deposed by Monaco as French champions last term, appear prepared to activate his release clause.
That would more than double the existing world record fee of 105m euros, then worth £89m, that Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba last summer. In his three seasons in Catalunya, Neymar has helped Barca win LaLiga twice, the Champions League once, the Copa del Rey on three occasions and the FIFA Club World Cup. Neymar reportedly met with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Qatar on Tuesday.
Messi bids adieu to Neymar
Lionel Messi bid farewell to Neymar on Instagram yesterday after the Brazilian striker told him and other Barcelona teammates he was leaving, saying it was a "huge pleasure" to have played with him.
"It was a huge pleasure having shared all those years with you, my friend @neymarjr," Messi wrote. "I wish you lots of luck in this new stage in your life. See you soon tkm," he added.
"Tkm" stands for "te quiero mucho" (I love you loads). "Thanks brother. I will miss you man," Neymar replied on Instagram. The unprecedented scale of the deal has sparked rumours that Barca could make a complaint to UEFA over a purported failure to adhere to Financial Fair Play rules by the purchasing club.
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