Barcelona Announce Neymar’s Exit …. Brazilian Set to Join PSG in £196m World Record Deal

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Barcelona have confirmed that a meeting had taken place between Neymar, his father, his representatives and the club, in which the player confirmed his desire to leave this summer.
PSG are closing in on a world record £196 million move for Neymar, who left Barcelona’s training ground just 43 minutes after arriving on Wednesday morning.
And the Spanish giants want to make his fellow Brazilian, Philippe Coutinho, their big-name capture of the summer.
They have, consequently, stepped up their chase for the Liverpool star by making a new bid of €120million – over £100 million – with the departure of Neymar moving ever closer.
In their statement, the club also made reference to a €25 million (£22.4 million) loyalty bonus that was due to Neymar if he stayed at the club beyond August 1.
Barcelona have refused to pay Neymar the fee until the case is resolved.
The full statement reads: “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 222 million euros (£198 million) 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.
“The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.”
La Liga have also waded into the debate, with the head of the league stating, on Wednesday morning, that they would not accept the £198 million release clause money from PSG.
Protocol means that PSG have to send Neymar the funds to activate his release clause, so he can then deposit the money with the league.
Citing FFP rules, La Liga said: “We will not accept the money for the clause. We have doubts this money is in accordance with UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.”
Spanish radio station RAC1 report that Neymar’s visit to the training ground was to say his goodbyes to team-mates as he prepares for a move to PSG.
It is now expected that Neymar will head to Paris to continue negotiations, ahead of completing his money-spinning move to Ligue 1.