Neymar to PSG transfer as it happened: Five-year deal, £500k-a-week contract, No 10 shirt

Wednesday August 2

Neymar No10

19.50: PSG midfielder Javier Pastore has revealed he will give up his No 10 shirt to Neymar.

"I would like to offer my number 10 shirt to Neymar," Pastore told radio station CadenaSER.

"I want him to be happy right from his first day at PSG."

Done deal?

19:10: Sky Sports claim Neymar has agreed a five-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain and is expected in Paris in the next two days to complete his world-record transfer.

PSG are expected to pay Neymar’s buyout clause of £198m (€222m) imminently.

Neymar’s wages are £26.8m-a-year (€30m) after tax, which is around £515,000-a-week.

Mystic Wenger

18:11: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger predicted record-breaking Neymar transfer in 2016.

When asked how long until a player was bought for around £200m, Wenger said in August 2016: "Not long.

"I have said that since I have been in the game at some point it has to stop, but as long as football continues to develop and become more popular more money will come in.

"What is interesting to see is that today, you have a local business and you just want to survive or you have a world business and the money comes in, whether it is Google, Facebook, football or any other sport, they are worldwide so you can’t set any limitations in the income.

"If football continues to be popular it may become much higher in the future."

Neymar deal is happening

17:07: Neymar is on the verge of becoming the world's most expensive footballer as a proposed £199million move to PSG draws ever closer.

The huge price-tag for the 25-year-old has sparked debate over the sport's escalating transfer fees and, although he was destined for the top from an early age, Neymar could surely never have foreseen the unfathomable riches that lay ahead when he first started kicking a ball on the streets of Brazil.

The only son of Neymar Santos Sr, a former professional footballer himself, and Nadine da Silva was born on February 5, 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, a small city 40 kilometres east of Sao Paulo.

He has a younger sister, Rafaella, and the family ties are extremely close. Neymar Sr has been both a mentor and coach to his son - he continues to work as the player's agent - while Neymar Jr has a tattoo of his sister's face on his right arm and she has her brother's eyes inked onto her left arm.

It’s likely Neymar Sr will bank a huge sum - possibly above £20m - when the deal is done.

Neymar sends message to Lionel Messi to confirm he's going

16:33: Neymar has confirmed he’s joining PSG in a public message to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Messi bid Neymar farewell today ahead of his £199million move to the French giants in a moving Instagram video.

The Argentine wrote: "It was an enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you friend Neymar. I wish you luck in this new stage of your life. I love you."

And Neymar responded to the message: "Thank you brother. I will miss you!"

Neymar latest

15:53: Neymar’s adviser Wagner Ribeiro has told Sky Italy they've received a proposal from PSG today.

He adds that PSG will pay the release clause - of £199million - in the next few hours

Oh, and in case you've been living on Mars for the past two weeks, Neymar is joining PSG. It's happening. The deal is on.

So who is Neymar? How much does he earn per week? And what do we know about the transfer to PSG?

Here's our easy-to-digest guide to the Neymar transfer

Neymar picket

15:00: Journalists are waiting outside La Liga’s offices near Madrid airport for Paris Saint-Germain to arrive and pay his £198.5m release clause.

Neymar’s agent has claimed PSG are ready to meet the fee, despite claims it would break Financial Fair Play regulations.

La Liga previously said they would not accept.

Watch this space…

Lionel Messi's tribute to Neymar

14:41: Lionel Messi has penned a public tribute to PSG-bound Neymar.

The Brazil superstar is set to seal a world-record £199million transfer from Barcelona to PSG in the coming hours.

Neymar made a brief visit to Barca's training ground today to inform them of his wish to leave the club, departing before their training session began.

And Barcelona team-mate Messi has reacted by posting a moving Instagram video made up of pictures of the pair.

Alongside it he wrote: “It was an enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you friend @neymarjr I wish you luck in this new stage of your life. See you tomorrow.”

Neymar to Zenit St Petersburg?

14:30: Well, the Russian club wanted it to happen but PSG beat them to it.

That's according to their coach Roberto Mancini.

"We also wanted to buy Neymar, but unfortunately PSG beat us to him," Mancini said in a press conference today.

Neymar in numbers

3 - Third remains his best FIFA Ballon d'Or placing, when he came in behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2015 award.

77 - Caps earned for Brazil.

52 - Goals scored for Brazil.

2 - Olympic medals won, one gold in 2016 and one silver in 2012.

105,000,000 - Previous world record transfer fee in euros, set when Paul Pogba joined Manchester United last year, which at the time equated to £89million.

Neymar coming to town!

13:45: Neymar is travelling to London before completing his move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to Spanish journalist Helena Condis Edo.

Condis has claimed Neymar will make a pit-stop in the capital with his agent confirming his move to PSG. 

In a series of tweets, Condis said Neymar was travelling to London this afternoon to “disconnect” from the speculation over his future and study his PSG contract with his father Neymar Santos Senior and agent Wagner Ribeiro.

Ribeiro has just returned to Paris and even tweeted a picture of the Eiffel Tower and the caption: “Wonderful Paris, the Eiffel Tower, wine, gastronomy and FOOTBALL.”

Condis added that Neymar and his father did not meet Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu today and that his flight out of the city from Barcelona–El Prat Airport was scheduled to leave at 1pm GMT.

The COPE presenter also quoted Neymar’s agent Ribeiro as saying PSG are going to pay Neymar’s release clause in the next few hours with a presentation set for the end of the week.

PSG keeping tightlipped

13:19: A PSG spokesman declined to comment today over whether Neymar is signing.

But they are one of the world's richest clubs following their 2012 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments, an arm of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, which has transformed their fortunes.

That’s how they are able to afford the biggest deal in football history.

Why is Neymar leaving Barcelona?

12:44: So Neymar is set to leave Barcelona to join PSG.

It’s the biggest deal in football history - but why is the move going through?

Here’s all you need to know about the deal.

Barcelona fans accuse Neymar of Real Madrid plot

12:34: While Neymar edges ever closer to a move to PSG, some Barcelona fans think there is more to this world record transfer than meets the eye.

The Brazilian forward is set to complete a £199million switch to the Ligue 1 giants, but a number of Barca supporters feel this is just a stop-gap before heading to rivals Real Madrid in a season or two.

Is it just paranoia or could we be seeing Neymar alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale sooner rather than later? – Check out all the best theories on Twitter here.

New Barcelona statement

12:18: Barcelona have now released the following statement on their website about Neymar.

“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,” the message read.

“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 €222m (£199) 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. 

“Shortly we will add the comments of club spokesman Josep Vives on the subject of Neymar.”

Neymar move catches experts' eye

12:02: The experts have been wading in to give their view on the Neymar move… and the thought is it could be political.

Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sports Enterprise at the University of Salford, said: “Neymar’s PSG move, whilst beneficial to the French club, may be motivated more by the political statement it makes and the soft power influence it is likely to have than whatever the Brazilian’s performances might be on the pitch.

“At a time when the likes of Saudi Arabia want the world to be talking about Qatar in negative terms (or preferably not to be talking about the country at all), instead Doha has become the focus for the year’s biggest story about the world’s favourite sport.”

Barca give update on Neymar

12:00: A statement on the club's website read: "FC Barcelona returned to training this Wednesday morning after the American tour, the first part of a double session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

"Before the morning session began, Neymar Jr. informed those present of his wish to leave the Club and was therefore given permission to miss training and resolve his future.

"Ernesto Valverde was otherwise able to count on all the players available with Gerard Deulofeu, André Gomes and Ter Stegen rejoining the group which included Varo and Alena of Barça B."

Neymar arrival, medical and unveiling

11:30: Neymar is expected to arrive in Paris later today or tomorrow morning at the latest.

French outlet RMC Sport say Neymar is set to undergo a medical tomorrow with his unveiling to come on Saturday.

Pinch yourself, this is really happening…

So why is he moving?

11:00: You’ve all heard Neymar is tired of living in Lionel Messi’s shadow, could become ‘the face of PSG’ and will earn a fortune in Paris.

But another reason he is keen to leave Barcelona - arguably the greatest club of the last 20 years - for PSG could be this.

PSG's squad contains four players who have played with Neymar for Brazil, with Dani Alves - also a team-mate at Barcelona - joining the club this summer.

Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Lucas Moura will all make him welcome in the French capital.

PSG chief coy

10:45: Neymar reportedly met with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Qatar yesterday.

But Al-Khelaifi was giving nothing away during an interview with Moroccan broadcaster Medi 1 TV over the weekend.

In quotes reported by various European news outlets Al-Khelaifi said: "Right now, Neymar is a Barcelona player and we'll see what happens with him.

"We respect all contracts signed with other clubs and players.

"To be honest, I'd rather not to talk about this matter now. I hope to do it at another time."

Neymar to Man Utd - what could have been…

10:35: French newspaper L’Equipe have claimed Neymar agreed personal terms with Manchester United last summer - only for the Barcelona superstar to have a late change of heart.

United were apparently ready to pay his £170m buy-out clause at the time, but Mourinho failed to land his man in his transfer window at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils went on to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba for around £150m.

What a day to publish that story!

Neymar arrives and drops bombshell

10:12: Neymar was pictured driving into Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Sports Complex earlier this morning.

Sky Sports say he spent around 40 minutes at the training ground and was given persmission to miss the session led by boss Ernesto Valverde.

One of his agents is said to be in Paris with Spanish newspaper Sport adding Neymar told his team-mates he is leaving Barcelona to sign for PSG in the next few days.

Neymar to PSG is ON!!!

09:45: Good morning and welcome to our live transfer blog as Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain becomes reality.

Barcelona have admitted that Neymar is leaving the club with the Brazilian superstar telling team-mates he is joining PSG.

The Spanish giants tweeted: “Neymar Jr hasn't trained on Wednesday with the permission of the coach #FCBlive”.

And in another twitter posting restricted to the sports press, Barca admitted he was leaving but gave no further details. 

Stay with us for the latest…