Neymar transfer stalled ... for now

LEAGUE CLAIMS TRANSFER A BREACH OF RULES Paris St Germain made to wait at least one day longer.

Spain’s football league refused to accept a €222 million cheque yesterday in a new twist to Neymar’s “transfer of the century” from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

Representatives of the 25-yearold Brazilian were turned away from the Madrid headquarters of La Liga after their payment to meet Barcelona’s buyout clause was refused by officials who have accused the French club of breaching transfer rules.

“We can confirm that the legal representatives of the player attended La Liga to pay the clause and this has been rejected,” a spokesperson said.

The move may delay Neymar’s transfer but is unlikely to derail it, according to experts.

However, the player, initially expected in Paris yesterday, is now due to arrive a day later, according to airport sources.

The transfer dominated front pages across the world with many commentators aghast at the rampant inflation in football transfer fees with Neymar’s new mark more than doubling the previous record set by Manchester United’s capture of Paul Pogba last year.

However, in the French capital there is huge excitement at PSG’s Qatari-backed project landing a star name to finally make them feared among European.

“Neymar to PSG – the transfer of the century”, splashed Le Parisien’s front page with the first five pages devoted to his impending arrival. – AFP

French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Thursday he would be “delighted” at the prospect of Neymar paying tax in France after his record-busting transfer to Ligue 1 giants Paris St-Germain.

“If in fact Neymar does come to a French club, the budget minister will be delighted at the tax he will be able to pay in France,” Darmanin said on France Inter radio. –

AFP