Barcelona confirm payment of Neymar release clause
Barcelona has removed Neymar from the squad list
The time has finally come. Barcelona confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain have paid the €222 million release clause of Brazilian superstar Neymar. Earlier in the day, La Liga refused to accept the money citing violation of Financial Fair Play regulations but the PSG officials made the payment after Ligue 1 authorities intervened.
Juan de Dios Crespo: the lawyer who completed the transaction for Neymar on behalf of PSG this afternoon. 💼 pic.twitter.com/zI3gJp1KzP
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 3, 2017
After that, Barcelona confirmed the fact that Neymar was indeed a free agent. The Brazilian superstar will fly to Paris for his medical. PSG will unveil him on Friday and will debut for his new club against Amiens SC in Ligue 1.
One of the most respected coaches in the world, Arsene Wenger criticized the deal.
"He said, “Once a country owns a club everything is possible and it becomes difficult to respect Financial Fair Play.”"
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It is a huge blow for Barcelona too. Neymar has the capability to be the world’s best player at some point in the future but even if he does, Paris Saint-Germain will reap the benefits and not the club that brought him to the world stage.
His departure leaves a huge void in the squad that can not be filled anytime soon.
Barca are looking at the following players to replace him :
- Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid
- Eden Hazard of Chelsea FC
- Paulo Dybala of Juventus
- Kylian Mbappe of AS Monaco
- Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool FC
- Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund
- Angel di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain
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These players are the few in the world who are good enough to fill the hole created by Neymar’s departure but Barcelona will have to make a move quickly to bring them in before the start of the season. If not, then the Blaugrana will have a Neymar-sized hole on the left wing.