Barcelona to sue Neymar for €8.5m over world-record PSG transfer

Barcelona are suing Neymar for a breach of contract over the striker’s world-record €222m transfer to PSG.

The La Liga side want to reclaim an €8.5m bonus paid to the Brazilian when he renewed his Barça deal last year. The club argue that Neymar or PSG must repay the bonus after the “unilateral termination of the contract”paved the way for the player to join the Ligue 1 side.

A statement on the Barcelona website read: “FC Barcelona has sent to the Royal Spanish Football Federation the labour demand that on 11 August was filed against the player Neymar Jr before the Social Court of Barcelona, to transfer it to the French Football Federation and Fifa, to the appropriate legal effects.

“In this lawsuit, the club claims to the player the amount already settled corresponding to the renewal premium for breach of contract; €8.5m in damages; and an additional 10% in arrears. The club also claims that the Paris Saint-Germain subsidiarily assumes payment of these amounts in case the player can not take over.

“FC Barcelona has promoted these actions in defence of its interests, after a unilateral termination of the contract urged by Neymar Jr, a few months after the signature of its renewal until 2021. This defence will be exercised following the established procedures before the Competent bodies and without entering, in any case, in dialectical disputes with the player.”