Brazil international Neymar is reportedly edging closer to his intended move to Paris Saint-Germain with the former French champions prepared to activate his staggering £196m release clause. The 25-year-old was an ever-present figure during Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the United States, but he has not travelled back with his fellow teammates due to his sponsorship duties in China.
Neymar is said to have already finalised personal terms with Les Parisiens, and according to Al Watan h/t The Sun, the attacker will travel to the Middle East later this week where he will have a medical at the Aspetar centre. Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo claims that the Qatar Sports Investment group, which own the French giants, are prepared to offer a £270m package to Neymar, which would enable him to pay up his transfer fee.
The payment is likely to be sanctioned for Neymar to become their ambassador at the 2022 World Cup, and he could, in turn, use the money gained to trigger the release clause in his Barcelona contract. There have been suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain could break the FIFA Financial Fair Play ruling, but the current approach would enable Neymar pay from his own pocket thus fending off any potential fines for overspending.
Neymar has bagged 105 goals during his three-year stay at Barcelona, but he is nevertheless eyeing a fresh challenge at Parc des Princes, where he would hold more importance in the team. Both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have often ran away with the plaudits in recent seasons, and the former Santos graduate seeks more attention amidst plying his trade in a relatively less competitive league.
Paris Saint-Germain have not managed to cross beyond the quarter-final stage of the Champions League in recent seasons, and the arrival of Neymar would boost their semi-final prospects whilst also challenging for the French crown which they lost out to AS Monaco last term.
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