Neymar's bonus held up
Barcelona have blocked payment of a 26-million-euro bonus for star attacker Neymar as speculation mounts that he will move to Paris Saint-Germain, a source at the club said Tuesday.
The Brazilian football star, who is due to come back for training on Wednesday morning, is at the centre of an apparent tug of war between the two European giants in what would be the most expensive transfer fee in football history.
Speculation is mounting that the 25-year-old could quit Barcelona for PSG for a world-record 222 million euros.
"These 26 million euros have been placed with a notary pending to see if the player continues," the source, who refused to be named, told AFP.
The renewal bonus was agreed on a year ago when Neymar extended his contract with Barcelona until 2021, and was due to be paid to the player after he completed a year. But the club has decided to put it on hold pending to see how the situation evolves.
The contract Neymar signed also increased the buy-out clause from 200 to 222 million euros, which PSG are reportedly willing to pay.
Neymar's future is the talk of Spanish football, and particularly Barcelona supporters.
After a successful pre-season tour in the United States, the footballer flew to China for a promotion trip. But he studiously avoided commenting on the situation.
On Wednesday, Barcelona players -- who have reportedly grown sick of the ongoing saga surrounding their Brazilian teammate -- resume training after their summer break, with a double session in the morning and in the afternoon. Neymar has been called to training, the club source said, although Spanish sports media doubt he will show up.
The move seems just a matter of time now, especially after the French club contacted local authorities in Paris to organise a 'mega-unveiling' for the Brazilian, akin to the one they had after acquiring Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2012. On that occasion, PSG presented the enigmatic Swedish forward in Place du Trocadero before thousands of fans. According to reports in the French media, Trocadero could once again be the venue, as PSG seek a symbolic setting for the grand display of transfer-market virility.
PSG are already counting on the support of the French police, who are putting together a strategy to avoid overcrowding and traffic congestion.
Les Parisiens have also started the process of clearing out some players in order to make room for Neymar in their FFP books, with Serge Aurier and Blaise Matuidi expected to be heading towards the exit.
Various reports in the English media have stated that right-back Aurier will join Manchester United after he was displaced in the playing eleven by Dani Alves. Meanwhile, reports in the Italian media suggest that Juventus are keen on midfielder Matuidi.
Barcelona are also stepping up their efforts in the market as they seek a suitable replacement. A second improved 90-million-euro bid for Liverpool midfielder Phillipe Coutinho was reportedly rejected, with Jurgen Klopp restating that the midfielder would not be leaving Anfield.
That has led to speculation that the board will now make a serious move for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann. They have also been looking at Juventus' Paulo Dybala, but he is looking increasingly likely to stay put in Turin.
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