Report: Neymar agrees to personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain
The most expensive transfer in football history is one step closer to completion.
Neymar has reportedly agreed to personal terms with French behemoth Paris Saint-Germain, with ESPN FC reporting that the Brazilian megastar has informed the Ligue 1 club of his desire to complete a move.
That development now leaves PSG clear to trigger the 25-year-old's monstrous €222-million buyout clause, something that Barcelona would be helpless to stop.
Related: How Barcelona should spend €222M if Neymar actually leaves for PSG
Per ESPN, Neymar and his father have been in discussions with the Paris Saint-Germain brass - including both the club's Qatari owners and sporting director Antero Henrique - in recent days, with the parties reaching an agreement over a contract that would tie the lithe winger to the Parc des Princes for "at least" four years.
The report notes that Neymar, who is said to have grown frustrated at being overshadowed by Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, will earn €30 million per season after taxes in the French capital, and will also pocket an "astronomical" signing-on fee that would exceed his annual salary.
This latest account corroborates reports in France that claimed Neymar has already told his Barca teammates that he will be leaving the club this summer. That said, outlets in Spain suggested Saturday morning that the Ballon d'Or contender is likely to shun PSG's interest in favour of remaining in Catalonia.
Either way, this seems destined to develop into a protracted saga.
Neymar racked up 20 goals and 19 assists in all competitions last season, at times dragging the Blaugrana to victory all by himself - see, for example, the miraculous Champions League comeback against none other than PSG.
Were he to actually make the world-record switch to the French capital, Neymar's move would signal the most impressive sign of intent from PSG's owners that the club is desperate for the type of Champions League success that has eluded it thus far.
Last season's stunning Round of 16 exit was preceded by four consecutive years of being dumped out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
And Neymar might not be the only one tasked with helping PSG get over that hump; reports suggest the club is also working to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.
Related - Report: PSG growing confident over Neymar, Sanchez moves
Bankrolled by Qatari Sports Investment (QSI), finding the cash to facilitate both deals wouldn't be an issue, and ESPN notes that the club's transfer budget, which complies with UEFA's financial fair play (FFP) regulations, will likely be boosted by sales of fringe squad members like Serge Aurier and Grzegorz Krychowiak.