Neymar set to make debut with PSG

Paris Saint-Germain fans may have extra reason to tune into Sunday’s game against Guingamp. Neymar is officially available to play, according to French soccer’s governing body, which confirmed on Twitter that the final paperwork to complete his world-record transfer from Barcelona had been received from Spain on Friday.

The 25-year-old Brazilian, for whom PSG paid the equivalent of $330 million, missed the team’s first game of the Ligue 1 season last weekend because the Spanish federation failed to send the paperwork in time. The exact reason for the delay is unknown, but French reports have alleged it was a planned delay on Barcelona’s part.

“Are they waiting for the check for 222 million euros to be credited to their account? Have they decided, in a way to settle scores, to take the maximum amount of time allowed (to submit the paperwork)?” the French sports newspaper L’Equipe asked.

Under international transfer regulations, Barcelona had 15 days to submit the final paperwork to Spanish soccer’s governing association, which would then move the paperwork to its corresponding organization in France.

It appears those conspiracy theories were all for naught as the paperwork came through in time for Neymar to suit up on Sunday.

PSG manager Unai Emery would not confirm the new No. 10 would play, although the BBC reported Friday that Emery said Neymar was “physically ready to start.”

While the situation between Barcelona and Neymar appears to have ended, the La Liga team’s drama trying to replace its former star has just begun.

Flush with post-Neymar money, Barcelona apparently is keen to sign Neymar’s Brazilian national squad teammate Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool. According to Sky Sports, the team offered more than $182 million to execute the transfer, but was rebuffed.