By Samindra Kunti
July 19 – Brazilian superstar Neymar has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking deal of €222 million, but Barcelona have denied he is leaving the club.
In a close season of mad transfers, with Kyle Walker being the latest big money move from Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City for €51,4 million, PSG may well defy any logic in bringing in Barcelona star Neymar.
Brazilian media outlet Esporte Interativo reported Tuesday that Neymar has accepted an offer from PSG and will move to the French capital in a world-record transfer fee of €222 million.
PSG’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, his close confidants Jean-Martial Ribes and Sophie Jordan and the club’s sporting director Antero Henrique are believed to be in talks with Neymar’s entourage. They want to trigger and meet his release clause of €222 million and shatter Paul Pogba’s record transfer of €105 million.
A previous attempt to lure Neymar to the Parc des Prince failed, but the French club are hunting for a talismanic replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Last season PSG were eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League’s round of 16 after infamously ceding a 4-0 advantage from the first leg.
Barcelona club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has, however, told BBC Sport that the club’s Brazilian star is not leaving Catalonia. Last October the forward signed a new five-year contract until 2021.
Neymar, 25, joined Barcelona from Santos in 2013. Last season he scored thirteen goals as Barcelona finished second in La Liga, three points behind champions Real Madrid.
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