Neymar almost joined PSG in £160m, £650k per week deal

Neymar came close to joining Paris Saint Germain this summer in a world record £160 million deal, which would have seen him earn a staggering £650,000 per week, according to reports in Brazil.

ESPN Brazil is reporting that Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro has claimed that the Brazilian superstar was on the verge of signing for French champions Paris Saint Germain in a £160 million deal that would have shattered the world transfer record, almost doubling the £89 million fee Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba this summer.

The deal would also have seen the former Santos forward earn a monumental salary of £650,000 per week.

Neymar eventually opted to extend his contract with Barcelona, committing himself to the Camp Nou club until 2021, with a release clause of more than €200 million.

Ribeiro also claims that his client had a concrete offer from Manchester United while his future was still up in the air, and that Old Trafford was a viable destination for the 24-year-old before he penned his extension with Barça.

Neymar is yet to make his first appearance for Barcelona this season after his participation in the Olympic football tournament. The 72 cap international scored the winning penalty against Germany in the gold medal match to secure Brazil’s first ever gold medal for football on home soil at the Maracana.