France

Kylian Mbappe Starts In Ligue 1 Opener But Limps Off Injured Amid Transfer Rumors

Believe it or not, there's news out of Ligue 1 this week that doesn’t involve Neymar. Did you know the league started play today? Yes, before Neymar makes his anticipated debut with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, Ligue 1 opened with defending champion Monaco facing off against Toulouse.

Just How Much Money Will Santos See From Neymar’s Transfer Fee?

Barcelona, a club not used to losing star players, accepted the largest transfer fee of all-time as Paris Saint-Germain funded the release clause for Brazilian striker Neymar on Thursday. The $263,480,000 fee didn’t just shatter the old record, it eviscerated it, more than doubling the $117.6 million Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba.

Neymar Has Officially Joined PSG

It isn't just a rumor anymore. Neymar has completed his move from Barcelona to PSG. Earlier today, Barcelona announced Neymar and his father had activated the Brazilian forward's buyout clause and now PSG have announced Neymar has officially joined the team.

PSG announced the move with this extremely cryptic tweet:

Jersey Sales Won’t Help Pay For Neymar’s Insane $263 Million Release Clause

There is a myth that jersey sales can help recuperate the transfer fee for a new player, that a player’s popularity can overcome a high asking price for a player. The fact is, Neymar’s $263 million release clause to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain will hardly be dented by the French club selling a few more jerseys.

Let’s take a look at some numbers. 

What Makes Neymar 28x More Expensive Than Amine Harit? A Mad World

Meet Amine Harit, a French U-20 attacking midfielder who just arrived at Schalke 04 via Nantes for $9.5 million. He's not a global sponsor for Nike, Gillette, Panasonic or Beats by Dre, he's never had his own custom Air Jordan sneakers or been featured on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer, but he remains one of the brightest attacking talents in world football today.

Neymar's Reported PSG Contract Gives Him More Money Per Week Than Messi

So, Neymar to PSG is really heating up now. After Barcelona admitted Neymar said he wanted to leave and Messi said goodbye on Instagram, the Brazilian forward is reportedly in Porto to undergo a medical. The big story right now (read: for like the next 15 minutes until something else insane happens) is Neymar's PSG contract, which, according to Sky Sports, is a whopper.

Neymar's Transfer Will Go Through Because PSG Have So Much Money Financial Fair Play Doesn't Apply To Them

This morning Barcelona announced that Neymar had announced to them his intention to leave the club, presumably for Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona also announced that they informed Neymar his release clause, a cool 263.2 million, would still have to be met.

PSG have yet to actually meet this release clause, which would terminate Neymar's contract with Barcelona and allow him to sign a new one with PSG, but they certainly have the means. Messi has already said goodbye.

Messi Posts Emotional Farewell Message To Neymar As Barca Confirms His Exit

The transfer saga embroiling Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Neymar reached a crescendo on Wednesday, although only the most ardent of Neymar and Blaugrana supporters wouldn’t have seen it coming. Barca released a statement confirming Neymar’s desire to leave the club for around $263 million, and Neymar informed his teammates of his decision before missing the day’s training session.

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