One thing is certain: Neymar wants to leave FC Barcelona. The change does not seem to be perfect. The way in which Paris St. Germain wants to pay the record contract-breaking fee of € 222 million is controversial.
Barça obviously needs top quality substitutes. Neymar probably played his last “Clásico” at the International Champions Cup on July 30th.
The goalkeeper had switched from FC Santos to Barcelona in 2013 for € 86.2 million. Four years later, his next change is now taking place. FC Barcelona has officially confirmed the request of its star. Now, the last transfer details are being finalized between the two clubs.
“Neymar has informed the club before leaving today that he plans to leave FC Barcelona,” the Catalans announced.
Neymar is a highly paid athlete under 25
According to a Forbes study, Neymar is already the highest paid sportsman under 25. In principle, his contract runs until 2021. Every year he is to earn about $15 million. He is the only footballer who earns more money off the field than on it. A selection of his sponsors: Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dre. In addition to his contract with Barça, Neymar earned $ 22 million with advertising.
The Brazilian is ranked 18 out of 100 in the Forbes money list of all athletes. He is also likely to improve. In Paris, he could probably cash 30 million euros per season.
Deal as a stress test for financial fair play?
In the case of a term of five years, according to the SZ, PSG would have to spend more than half a billion euros to secure Neymar. Can this transfer be carried out without violating UEFA financial fair play rules?
Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish Profiliga, said: “If UEFA does not intervene on its own, then we will sue.” Tebas, looking at PSG and Qatar: “There are clubs that receive their money from states and buy players. The rules stipulate that an association can record a maximum loss of 30 million euros within three years.”
According to WELT, Neymar is to pay his transfer himself. At the same time, he will take on a role as ambassador for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar parallel to his PSG contract. The wage: around 300 million euros.
It is clear that no more big stars can be procured, at least for 2017. Fair play rules have obviously been stretched far enough – which is somehow also innovative, right?
