Neymar has shocked the world by trading in Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain for an insane £198 million. Barcelona are demanding PSG meet Neymar’s release clause, and if they do, they will fully agree to the deal this week.
According to reports, Neymar left Barcelona’s training centre 30 minutes after arriving on Wednesday, which signified a deal was in place for the Brazilian. He has already agreed personal terms and now the two clubs must hand over the money.
Since news of the deal was reported on Wednesday afternoon, fans and pundits have reacted in a variety of ways on Twitter.
Oh Neymar, there is only one direction to go from @FCBarcelona and that's backwards.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Sporf/status/892814136563904517
I've no doubt that by the end of his career Neymar's greatest achievement in a PSG match will be his role in the Remontada.
— Gerry Johnston (@gjsportsblog) August 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/BrazilEdition/status/892810974729842688
La Liga were expecting PSG/Neymar lawyer to come to their office today to pay €222m release clause. Didn't come. Now coming tomorrow morning
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 2, 2017
€222m for one player (Neymar)? This game genuinely becomes more & more laughable each year. I thought Pogba was bad, this is just pathetic.
— Dharma Bhagalia (@Kloppholic) August 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ffswwfc/status/892810787101782024
By the way, some at Barça think Neymar to PSG was initially a stunt to get a massive renewal, but it backfired and forced him out.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 2, 2017
Neymar joined Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos in 2013 for £75m. While some expected him to fail once moving to Europe, he made an irresistible partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. The trio helped Barcelona to numerous trophies, including two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and one Champions League.
Last season, the Brazilian tallied 13 goals and 11 assists in 30 La Liga matches. Despite his stellar numbers for the Catalan team, there was always the sense he couldn’t breakout of Messi or Suarez’s shadows. He arrives at PSG now with the ability to be the face of the club and lead them to an elusive Champions League trophy.
While the move could end up working out for both Neymar and PSG, there is also the chance it could backfire. If the move doesn’t work out, Neymar’s role as a Messi and Suarez sidekick could have been warranted.
Barcelona have already attempted to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho as the PSG bound player’s replacement.
