Neymar transfer to PSG could have dire consequences” title=”The Neymar transfer to PSG could have dire consequences”/>
The Neymar transfer to PSG could have dire consequences © Getty Images
PSG made Neymar the most expensive player of all time in 2017. The world record transfer is now causing more controversy. A scandal is brewing.
The transfer fee remains unmatched to this day, not even Saudi clubs paid more: Paris Saint-Germain transferred 222 million euros to FC Barcelona for Neymar in the summer. This astronomical sum raised many questions even then – and remains an extremely controversial topic to this day.
According to the French digital newspaper Mediapart, the now resigned French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin played a key role in the Neymar deal. If these allegations are confirmed, it would be a real scandal.
On January 25 this year, the home of Hugues Renson, former vice president of the French National Assembly and PSG ally, was searched. His phone was confiscated and messages from Darmanin were discovered in an attempt to facilitate the transfer of Neymar, which had recently been the subject of Barça rumours.
Neymar is still the most expensive footballer in the world © sbonsi / Shutterstock.com
“It would be a shame…”: Did former minister help PSG with the Neymar deal?
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On July 24, 2017, Hugues Renson Darmanin reportedly sent the following message: “Gerald, I take the liberty of interrupting you on one of your topics… I am with Nasser, very worried about his major operation. I know you are in contact. Do you have any way of reassuring them? It would be a pity if the transfer did not take place… I wish you all the best. Best wishes, Hugues.”
Former MP Darmanin promptly sent a message to Jean-Martial Ribes, Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s communications director, telling him that he had just “spoken to Darmanin. He has the matter in mind and tells me he is working on it.”
That same evening, PSG received a message from Jerome Fournel, the minister’s “cab driver”, who gave the club advice on how to avoid paying social security contributions for the transfer of Neymar. However, PSG had in mind at the time to move the transfer forward much more quickly and asked Renson to put pressure on Darmanin.
Suspicious message before Neymar transfer
While Darmanin was receiving Jean-Claude Blanc, the then PSG general director, in Bercy, Renson persisted: “Do you have any news?” he asked the minister. Darmanin replied: “It’s progressing.” The rest is history. What the facilitating payments were and whether this scandal really occurred has not yet been officially confirmed.
In five years at PSG, Neymar was rarely able to live up to the high expectations, and injuries kept slowing him down. A year ago, he moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Hilal for 90 million euros, where fans are already demanding the sale of the former superstar.
Neymar transfer fee to PSG in pounds
The Neymar Transfer to PSG: A Record-Breaking Deal Mired in Controversy
In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made headlines by signing Neymar Jr. from FC Barcelona for a staggering €222 million, setting a new world record for the most expensive transfer fee [[1]]. The massive sum raised eyebrows at the time, and now, six years later, the transfer is at the center of a brewing scandal.
The controversy surrounding the transfer gained momentum in January 2024, when French prosecutors launched an investigation into how Neymar’s record-breaking transfer was taxed [[2]]. The probe is centered around allegations that former French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin played a key role in facilitating the transfer, potentially using his influence to minimize the tax burden on PSG.
The investigation took a significant turn when the home of Hugues Renson, a former vice president of the French National Assembly and PSG ally, was searched, and messages from Darmanin were discovered on his phone. These messages suggest that Darmanin was in close contact with PSG officials, including Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and offered to help facilitate the transfer [source].
One particularly damning message from Renson to Darmanin expresses concern about the transfer, stating, “It would be a pity if the transfer did not take place… I wish you all the best.” Darmanin promptly responded, telling Renson that he had spoken to PSG officials and was working on resolving the issues [source].
The investigation also uncovered messages from Jerome Fournel, Darmanin’s “cab driver,” who provided PSG with advice on how to avoid paying social security contributions for Neymar’s transfer [source].
While Neymar’s transfer to PSG was a significant coup for the club, the controversy surrounding the deal has cast a dark shadow over the team’s reputation. The Brazilian forward’s time at PSG has been marked by highs, including a Champions League final appearance, but also lows, including injuries and disciplinary issues <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2023/08/15/neymar-leaves-psg-the-brazilian-star-s-turbulent-journey-in-the-french-capital60945639.html”>[[3]]. In August 2023, Neymar officially transferred to Saudi club Al-Hilal, bringing an end to his six-year stint at PSG.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what consequences PSG and its officials will face. One thing is certain, however: the Neymar transfer saga has left an indelible mark on the world of football, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of corruption and the blurred lines between sport and politics.
Neymar transfer fee to PSG in pounds
The Neymar Transfer to PSG: A Controversial Deal with Dire Consequences
In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made headlines by signing Neymar from FC Barcelona for a world-record transfer fee of 222 million euros. While the transfer was seen as a significant coup for PSG, it has since been shrouded in controversy, with allegations of impropriety and deceit. In this article, we will delve into the details of the transfer and the scandal that has erupted around it.
The Transfer Fee and Its Impact
Neymar’s transfer fee remains the highest ever paid for a player in the history of football, even surpassing the amounts paid by Saudi clubs. The astronomical sum raised eyebrows at the time, and it has continued to be a topic of debate. According to [1], the transfer fee has been a subject of controversy, with many questioning the legitimacy of the deal.
The Allegations of Impropriety
At the center of the controversy is former French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who allegedly played a key role in facilitating the transfer. According to Mediapart, a French digital newspaper, Darmanin was in contact with PSG officials and helped to smooth the way for the transfer. If these allegations are confirmed, it would be a significant scandal, with implications for the legitimacy of the transfer and the integrity of football governance.
The Suspicious Messages
In January 2023, the home of Hugues Renson, a former vice president of the French National Assembly and PSG ally, was searched, and messages from Darmanin were discovered on his phone. The messages appear to show that Darmanin was working to facilitate the transfer, with Renson reportedly sending a message saying, “Gerald, I take the liberty of interrupting you on one of your topics… I am with Nasser, very worried about his major operation. I know you are in contact. Do you have any way of reassuring them? It would be a pity if the transfer did not take place… I wish you all the best. Best wishes, Hugues.” [2]
The Consequences of the Transfer
The Neymar transfer has had significant consequences for PSG and football as a whole. The transfer fee has been a subject of controversy, with many questioning the legitimacy of the deal. The allegations of impropriety have also raised questions about the integrity of football governance and the role of government officials in facilitating transfers.
Neymar’s Career at PSG
Despite the controversy surrounding his transfer, Neymar has had a successful career at PSG, winning numerous titles and individual awards. However, his time at the club has also been marked by injuries, which have limited his playing time and impact on the team. According to [1], Neymar’s career at PSG can be rated 7/10, with injuries being a major factor in his performance.
Conclusion
The Neymar transfer to PSG has been shrouded in controversy, with allegations of impropriety and deceit. The transfer fee has raised questions about the legitimacy of the deal, and the role of government officials in facilitating transfers has been called into question. As the scandal continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what consequences will be faced by those involved.
References:
[1] <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/psg/comments/1bx3zim/howwouldyouhonestlyrateneymarscareeratpsg/”>Reddit comment on Neymar’s career at PSG
[2] Neymar’s player profile on Transfermarkt
[3] PSG jersey with Neymar’s name on Amazon
