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PSG hope to conclude Neymar deal on Monday

PSG are hopeful of concluding a deal for Neymar with Barcelona by Monday or Tuesday, according to sources contacted by RMC.

After weeks of discussions between Les Parisiens and Neymar’s father (which came about following an approach from the latter to the former), a contract has been agreed for the Brazilian to join Les Parisiens. A 5-year deal, until 2022, on €30m a year net. A source told RMC that in terms of contract negotiations, everything is done: “There is a total agreement, even the discussions relating to finer points have been finalised.”

Another source told the media outlet that PSG believe the deal will be concluded on Monday or Tuesday: “Neymar has made his decision. His fight with Semedo is a perfect example. Neymar is not really respected at Barcelona. He is always standing behind Messi, who is the pope of the town. Today, he had to make a decision. We hope that an agreement will be reached between the two clubs on Monday or Tuesday. For us, his future is in Paris.”

After three years of sanctions suffered by PSG under the Financial Fair Play regulations, the Paris club cannot afford to make another false step. PSG are hoping to make up the exorbitant €200m + fee that will be required to sign Neymar through shirt sales of the Brazilian attacker. PSG have already undertaken studies that show that the arrival of Neymar will have a global impact, triggering a revenue rise worth several €20m’s, specifically owing to marketing and merchandise.

PSG want to negotiate with Barcelona, in order to try to pay less than the player’s €222m release clause, and they believe that they have some leverage in a possible deal owing to Neymar’s unhappiness. However, PSG representatives accept that realistically, they are going to have to pay the full €222m, and that Barcelona will not budge – regardless, in recent hours they have tried to negotiate the price down.

PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi is handling the matter personally, working very late into each night on this deal. PSG have organised members of its transfers, legal and administrative teams into two separate groups, one is working on preventing the arrival of Neymar from putting the club in trouble with FFP. A €200m + deal with €30m a year salary net will have a considerable effect on the club’s budget. Thus, they are working on dealing with this shift in balance by seeking to sell players.

The second team is working on the potential fiscal fall-out of a Neymar transfer. Specifically in relation to what social contributions and expenses PSG would incur in the eyes of the French tax authorities. The arrival of Neymar at PSG would actually improve French tax revenues: Les Parisiens currently pay approximately €170m in taxes a year. If Neymar were to join the club, that number would move to above €190m.

Neymar to PSG, patience, patience.