Neymar’s £198million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain has stunned the world of football… with the possible exception of one man.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had clearly seen it coming and predicted a £200m transfer was imminent after Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United set a new world record fee of £89m lsat summer.
“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,” Wenger said less than a year ago.
“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.
Neymar - In pictures
“If football continues to be popular it may become much higher in the future.”
Wenger had also seen the talent of Neymar before his move to Barcelona in 2013. Two years before the Brazilian international went to the Nou Camp the Arsenal boss said: “If I had the money today, I'd put it on Neymar.
“He has the potential to be one of the future great strikers but at the moment there's a big difference between the Brazilian league and a European league.”
Arsenal were unable to find the £40m it would have cost to acquire Neymar from Santos and were left with Gervinho instead.
