Neymar in Portugal for PSG medical as he agrees £198m move from Barcelona
Brazilian arrived in Porto on Wednesday night after telling Barcelona he wants to leave to join French side in deal worth £500,000 a week after tax
Sponsored by
NEYMAR was pictured in Portugal on his private jet on Wednesday as he prepares for his world record £198million move to PSG.
Reports in France say the Brazilian was there for his medical as he finalises a world record move.
was seen at Porto Airport on Wednesday evening after escaping Barcelona.
The 25-year-old didn’t train on Wednesday and has been given permission to leave Barcelona, the club confirmed.
Several of his team-mates had been fed up with his actions and demanded he tell them the truth about where his future lies — and he confirmed he is going.
An official Barcelona statement read:“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.
“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 (£198m) which will have to be deposited in its entirety.
“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.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
“The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.
“Shortly we will add the comments of club spokesman Josep Vives on the subject of Neymar.”
And his world record £198million move to Paris Saint-Germain is expected to be completed before the end of the week.
PSG will pay him £500,000 a week AFTER tax over the next five years.
The Brazilian superstar’s future has dominated this summer’s transfer window.
Many of his Nou Camp team-mates had demanded answers as to where Neymar will start the season.
Andres Iniesta previously told the club he believed keeping the former Santos striker was more useful than the £200m his sale would bring in.
While Gerard Pique tweeted a picture of himself with his “friend” along with the caption “He’s staying” — only to later clarify that was just his wish and not a fact.
At PSG, he believes he will become the central figure and therefore have a better chance of landing a maiden Ballon d’Or — despite the fact only one player from the French league has ever won the award.
If they do pull off the biggest deal in the game’s history they will first have to stump up the £198m release clause in his Barca contract.
Then they have to find a further £156m to cover the wages they have put on the table over the course of the player’s proposed six-year deal.
That means Neymar will be paid just over £500,000-a-week – £26m-a-year – to swap La Liga for the less heralded Ligue 1.