Neymar has been given permission by Barcelona to miss training in order to sort out his future, which is set to see him complete a world record move to Paris Saint Germain.
South American and French sources confirmed last week that a deal was close between the player and PSG – who are ready to pay his buy out clause of just under £200million.
Football INDEX Watch – Neymar £5.01– The Brazilian has just broken the £5 barrier again, but will the world’s soon to be record signing prove to be the main man on the INDEX?
Barca have now seemingly accepted the inevitable and told Neymar he can miss training, and he is now expected to fly to France for a medical with the Parisian giants.
The 25-year-old told Barca team-mates that he wanted to move to Paris after he flew back to Catalunya on Tuesday following a commercial trip to Asia.
A club statement read: “Barcelona returned to training this Wednesday morning after the American tour, the first part of a double session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
“Before the morning session began, Neymar Jr. informed those present of his wish to leave the Club and was therefore given permission to miss training and resolve his future.”
Neymar Jr hasn't trained on Wednesday with the permission of the coach #FCBlive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 2, 2017
Barcelona also confirmed that the whole of Neymar’s transfer worth around £196million would have to be paid in full.
“The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the Club in a meeting held at the Club’s offices,” the statement continued.
“Faced with this position, the Club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222m euros which will have to be deposited in its entirety.
“Furthermore, in reply to the claim for the contract extension bonus, the Club has once again made it clear that the amount remains deposited with a notary until the case is resolved.
“The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.
On the back of Neymar impending move, Bookmakers across the board have been quick to close their markets on the Brazilian moving.
We spoke to BetVitcor’s Head of Antepost Football Michael Triffitt about their decision to pull the market.
“It now looks increasingly likely that Barcelona star Neymar will indeed be joining PSG,” he told us.
“A few lucky punters availed themselves of 25/1 and 16/1 in our early shows but most of the bets were laid at 4/1 downwards but with punters happy to still take 1-4 it looked a good time to shut up shop!!.
“This will be a real statement of intent from PSG as they look to regain their domestic title lost to Monaco last term and finally make a big impression in the Champions League. They are 10/1 from 16/1 to lift the Champions league after attracting good support and will be expected to make good progress in that event this season now.”
Spanish sources now believe that coach Ernesto Valverde is pushing for Barcelona to look to the future, which could very well see them push on with their bid to land Liverpool’s Philippe Countinho – we revealed earlier this week that the Catalan giants are confident of landing the Reds man.