Neymar to PSG: Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho says transfer is not expensive and backs deal

Barcelona look set to lose Neymar to PSG after allowing the player to skip training to force through a move to France.

Express Sport understands a deal will cost a huge £198million - making him the most expensive player in football history.

Manchester United were previously linked with a move for the Brazil international, with reports even suggesting they had an agreement in place last summer.

However, Neymar has now opted to join PSG rather than United after four glittering years at the Nou Camp with Barcelona.

The 25-year-old's move will cost double the £89million the Red Devils paid Juventus for Paul Pogba 12 months ago.

And Mourinho, who sanctioned that move, reckons the deal taking Neymar to France is a snip.

"When we paid that amount for Paul I told that he was not expensive," Mourinho said. 

"Expensive are the ones that get into a certain level without a certain quality.

"I think with Neymar it's going to happen the same, I don't think he's expensive for 200million, I don't think he's expensive, I think he's expensive the fact that now you are going to have more players of 100 million and you are going to have more players at 80 million and you are going to have more players at 60 million.

"And I think that's the problem because Neymar is one of the best payers in the world, commercially he's very strong and, for sure, Paris Saint-Germain thought about it, so I don't think the problem is Neymar, I think the problem is the consequences."

Speaking back in March, Mourinho thought signing Neymar was impossible.

"A club like Barcelona cannot and will not lose Neymar," he said.

"Although Messi is still a young player with years to go, he is already 30, and Neymar will be the great player of Barcelona after Messi. 

"I think [trying to sign Neymar is like] going to try to break into a safe, impossible."