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PSG pay Neymar release clause, finally

By Jake Walerius

Neymar of Barcelona player during the Uefa Champions League 2016-2017 match between FC Juventus and FC Barcelona at Juventus Stadium on March 14, 2017 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Omar Bai/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Photo by Omar Bai/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Neymar of Barcelona player during the Uefa Champions League 2016-2017 match between FC Juventus and FC Barcelona at Juventus Stadium on March 14, 2017 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Omar Bai/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Photo by Omar Bai/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Paris Saint-Germain officially paid Neymar’s release clause to Barcelona Thursday, and the completion of the transfer is now a formality.

Paris Saint-Germain took a big step toward the signing of Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona on Thursday, after his release clause of 222 million Euros was triggered. Due to La Liga rules, Neymar had to pay the release clause himself, with PSG providing the funds. The news comes at the end of week’s worth of rumors, during which conflicting reports seemed to emerge every day.

Neymar, still only 25, has scored 105 goals and added 80 assists in 186 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions since joining the club in 2013. He’s also won two La Liga titles, three Copas del Rey and a Champions League.

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The obvious question is why he’d want to leave at all. There has been speculation Neymar is tired of playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi, but trading La Liga for Ligue 1 is a hard move to justify if the pursuit of greatness is the Brazilian’s primary concern.

The signing is a huge coup for PSG, who have signed the world’s biggest star after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Neymar will join Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler (and possibly Alexis Sanchez, if rumors are to be believed) in what promises to be one of Europe’s most potent attacks next season.

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Unai Emery’s side disappointed last term, finishing second to Monaco in Ligue 1 and crashing out of the Champions League after blowing a 4-0 first leg lead against Barca in the round of 16. Their new signing is a clear sign of intent from the owners that a similar level of performance won’t cut it two years in a row.

The news is also a big blow for Barcelona, who are coming off a difficult year of their own, missing out on the league title for only the second time in the past five seasons, and losing to Juventus in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Ernesto Valverde replaced the outgoing Luis Enrique as manager at the beginning of the summer. His biggest acquisition so far has been former Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo, but he’ll need to act quickly to bring in a suitable replacement for Neymar before the end of the summer transfer window.

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