Both Manchester Clubs Were Offered Chance to Sign Barca Star Neymar But Only PSG Can Afford Him
Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City were both offered the chance to sign Barcelona forward Neymar.
Reports have claimed the Brazil international is unhappy at Barcelona and is eager to move this summer, with the former Santos man growing frustrated at playing in the shadow of Argentina international Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.
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Both United and City were offered the chance to Neymar, according to Marca, with Neymar senior trying to instigate an auction for the 25-year-old, who has scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club back in 2013.
The release clause of €222m has proved to high for either United and City to pursue but French giants Paris-Saint Germain remain capable of paying it, although they are attempting to bypass Financial Fair Play via more creative routes.
PSG currently want to give Neymar a personal sponsorship contract through Oryx Qatar Sports Investments, a company closely aligned to the club, which would then enable Neymar to buy out the release clause himself.
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The deal would then not affect PSG's club accounts, involving just Neymar, Barcelona and the investment group and allowing the French giants to pay the forward the massive contract he is demanding.
UEFA have recently tried to crack down on such loopholes but PSG believe taking the risk is more than worth it if they end up signing one of their major transfer targets.
Barca president recently commented on Financial Fair Play, stating, as quoted by Metro: "These clauses are impossible to activate if you want to comply with Financial Fair Play. If someone doesn’t want to comply, then of course it can be activated."
