Soccer’s Biggest Deal Ever: $260 Million for Neymar
Business + Economy

Soccer’s Biggest Deal Ever: $260 Million for Neymar

Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Barcelona forward Neymar has now paid his €222 million (US$260 million) buy-out clause in full, according to a statement issued by the club.

The Brazilian, who told Barcelona he wanted to leave the club on Wednesday, is embroiled in a protracted world record smashing transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar's legal team deposited the transfer fee at Barcelona's offices, having been rebuffed earlier in the day when they attempted to pay the sum at the headquarters of La Liga.

La Liga confirmed it's rejection of the transfer fee to Business Insider earlier on Thursday, a decision that angered the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) which said it would take legal action to get the Neymar transfer done.

Related: Top Ten Big Money Soccer Transfers

However, Barcelona has now confirmed the payment: "Neymar's legal representatives visited the club's offices and made the payment of €222 million in the player's name, with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties."

With the transfer fee now confirmed, Neymar is expected to be confirmed as a Paris Saint-Germain player.

Barcelona stated it will "pass the details" to UEFA due to concerns the transfer could be a breach of Financial Fair Play, a regulation established to prevent clubs from spending more than they earn.

"The club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case."

This article originally appeared on Business Insider. Read more from Business Insider:

Mueller's latest move in the Trump-Russia probe may foreshadow a 'large-scale series of prosecutions'

Obamacare just got a one-two punch of bad news

West Virginia's governor is switching parties tonight at a rally with Trump

TOP READS FROM THE FISCAL TIMES