Report: Neymar agrees deal to move to PSG

Barcelona star Neymar has reportedly agreed to join Ligue 1 side PSG in a deal worth $257 million.

Neymar has reportedly agreed a deal to move to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG will pay the Brazilian’s $257 million release clause to pry him away from Barcelona.

There’s a lot to unpack here, and it’s still unclear whether the rumors are true. Gianluca DiMarzio reported Monday that PSG would be willing to pay Neymar’s massive release clause, but offered no word on whether Neymar would seriously entertain the proposition.

Brazilian journalist Marcelo Bechler reported on Tuesday that Neymar had accepted a deal and would become a PSG player in the coming weeks.

If it were to go through, the transfer would make Neymar the most expensive player in history by more than $100 million. The Brazilian is one of the very best players in the world, and at 25 years old would offer PSG serious long-term value.

However, it would represent a step down for Neymar, who would be trading Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi for Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria, not to mention La Liga for Ligue 1. The Brazilian has been in trouble with the Spanish authorities — seemingly like every other player in Spain — due to tax avoidance, but that hardly seems like sufficient reason for him to leave.

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As for Barcelona, it would be a huge blow to lose one third of their formidable MSN front line. The club finished second in La Liga last season and were dumped out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals.

Ernesto Valverde replaced Luis Enrique as manager this summer, and is reportedly interested in bringing PSG’s Marco Verratti to Camp Nou. Whether Verratti could potentially be involved in a deal for Neymar remains to be seen, but the Italian would presumably be more likely to stay in Paris if Neymar is going to join him.