FC Barcelona explains details of Neymar deal

Barcelona, Jan 25 (IANS) Josep Maria Bartomeu held his first press conference as FC Barcelona’s new president and revealed details of the deal that brought Brazil striker Neymar to the Spanish champions last June.

Former president Sandro Rosell was forced to resign after a judge had agreed to hear a lawsuit brought by club member Jordi Cases alleging he had hid the real cost of the deal in false contracts, reports Xinhua.

Bartomeu Friday said this explanation was possible thanks to Neymar’s father, who considered accusations made by Cases unfair.

Raul Sanlleh, from Barca’s economic area, explained all items in the contract confronting the figure of 95.1 million euros ($130 million) published by Spanish newspaper El Mundo versus the official figure of 57.1 million euros.

Sanlleh explained that the transfer fee of the player was 57.1 million euros. 17.1 million were paid to Santos and two million would be paid if Neymar was among the three finalists for the Golden Ball.

According to the information published by El Mundo, the Catalan club had to pay nine million euros for two friendly matches that Barca said were free, unless the team does not show up, that would imply a fine. This is no longer possible, because a game has already been played, Sanlleh said.

The 40 million euros for the company N&N were to ensure Neymar’s transfer to Barca when the player’s contract with Santos was finished in 2014.

Sanlleh clarified that N&N was not Neymar’s father and his son’s company as stated by the media, but the company of his father and mother (Neymar da Silva and Nadine) in which the player has no participation.

Sanlleh said a team had offered 100 million euros for the player, but Neymar accepted a lower offer because he wanted to play with the Barca.

The salary of the Brazilian player is 56.7 million euros in five years: 44 of fixed salary, signing bonus of 10 million and 2.7 million of agent fee.

Meanwhile, 2.5 million in five years are for Neymar Jr. Foundation, 7.9 million for a partnership agreement with Santos and two million for N&N to inform about Santos players.

According to Sanlleh the total transaction would amount to 86.2 million euros, but he said the result made no sense because the items were different and should not be all included in the same figure.

Bartomeu said they were very proud of the contract, which was reviewed by leading lawyers, and stated they were sure it was legal. He also said that Rosell’s resignation was due to personal reasons, apart from Neymar’s contract.