Barcelona confirm Neymar intends to leave

Barcelona star Neymar looks set to smash the world transfer record with a 222-million-euro move to Paris Saint-Germain, after telling the Spanish club he wants to move this summer.

Neymar helped maintain Barcelona as one of the top clubs in Europe for the past four seasons as he blossomed into a worldwide star. [Photo: baidu.com]

The club says that the Brazil striker told his teammates "that he had the intention of leaving the club and seeking his future elsewhere, and the coach has given him permission to leave training."

FC Barcelona spokesman Josep Vives says Neymar, alongside his father and manager, has communicated to FC Barcelona his decision to leave the club during a meeting at the club offices. 

"Based on this decision, we reminded them of the buyout clause attached to his current contract, that since the last July 10th is of 222 million euros, and also we told them that this fee has to be paid in full," said Vives.

"The player currently holds a contract with FC Barcelona, but he has a temporary waiver so he is not obligated to participate in training sessions," Vive added.

PSG are rumoured to be ready to pay Neymar's release clause of 222 million euros, which would dwarf the 105 million euros that Manchester United paid for France midfielder Paul Pogba last year.

It's reported by Sky News that Neymar has agreed a five-year contract with PSG.

The wages are understood to be around 30 million euros a year after tax, almost doubling the player's current salary.

Meanwhile Barcelona says Neymar is claiming the bonus for his last year's contract renewal worth 26 million euros. But the club has told them that this money is in a safe deposit box until the public notary comes to a decision.

In four seasons, Neymar scored 105 goals for Barcelona and was a key playmaker as the club won a Champions League, two Spanish leagues, three Copa del Reys, one Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and two Spanish Super Cups.