Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain were desperate to secure the signatures of Barcelona star Neymar and had offered him a wage packet of £650,000 a week, according to his agent.
[OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT] @NeymarJr will continue at @FCBarcelona until 2021 #Neymar2021 https://t.co/kuQEY9CDiE pic.twitter.com/ASxjzWZfAa
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 1, 2016
However, the Brazilian striker chose to stay put at Barcelona and signed a new bumper 5-year contract with the Catalans.
But earlier foottheball had revealed that Manchester United were on brink to rope in the talented striker, before he opted to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro revealed that PSG were ready to break the world transfer record and splurge £160m in order to secure the services of the Brazilian hit-man.
“He was very close to PSG. He would have earned €40m a year, said Ribeiro
“Neymar was also close to a move to Manchester United. But he renewed his contract for less money with Barcelona, because he wanted to stay in Barcelona.”
Neymar played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s two consecutive La Liga triumphs and the new contract will keep him at the club until 2021. The Catalans have also inserted a buy-out-clause in the contract which states that his release clause for first year will be €200m, €222m for the second year and a hefty €250m for the last three years.
The Ligue 1 giants were ready to meet the buy-out clause and the hefty wage demand to lure Neymar away to France.
[VIDEO] The magic of @NeymarJr in his first 3 seasons at Barça. Which is your favourite? #Neymar2021 https://t.co/opt2QkLSgO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 1, 2016
But, Neymar chose to commit his future to Barcelona and the new contract will kepp him at the club until 2021.
However, a source close to PSG said, “It’s totally false.”
“With employer contributions on top, that salary would have cost more than €60m a year. It’s obscene.
“Neymar used us to strengthen his hand with Barcelona.”
After failing to sign Neymar, Mourinho roped in Zlatan, who was out of contract after his incredible spell at PSG. Later the Portuguese used the club’s capital to bring in Juventus playmaker Paul Pogba for a world record fee.
Neymar displayed incredible form during his international duty at Rio Olympics 2016, where he guided Brazil to clinch their first ever Olympic gold in football.
