- The player’s deal is still the most expensive in world football over five years later
- Search is part of a larger investigation into influence peddling at Parisian club
- CHRIS SUTTON: Don’t wait! Sir Jim Ratcliffe must fire Erik ten Hag now – It’s All Kicking Off
French authorities searched the offices of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance on Monday as part of an investigation into allegations of favours given to Paris Saint-Germain over the £200million transfer of Neymar Jr from Barcelona in 2017, according to reports in France.
The Brazil international had enjoyed a meteroic spell at the Catalan giants and PSG swooped for the player in what remains a world-record deal – but Neymar was never able to quite replicate the form that inspired the move.
After five injury-strewn years at Parc des Princes, the 31-year-old made the move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with his departure, as well as Lionel Messi‘s to Inter Miami, calling time on a star-studded but ultimately disappointing era for the French champions.
Neymar’s time in Saudi Arabia was almost immediately brought to a halt when the player suffered a significant ACL injury in October, which has sidelined him until the end of the season.
But in spite of his leaving the club over the summer, Neymar’s shadow continues to loom large, with French outlet Mediapart reporting that his initial transfer is under scrutiny as part of a wider investigation into influence peddling that has been ongoing since September 2022.
Neymar Jr’s transfer to PSG from Barcelona is still the most expensive deal in world football
The player ended his chaotic stint at Parc des Princes in summer 2023 with a move to Al-Hilal
Former Minister of Public Accounts Gerald Darmanin is alleged to have been consulted over favourable tax advantages for the transfer
The club’s former communications director Jean-Martial Ribes is alleged to have sought the advice of then-vice president of the National Assembly Hugues Renson on potential ‘tax advantages’ that could be found for the transfer.
Renson claims to have consulted former Minister of Public Accounts Gerald Darmanin over the possible taxation the deal would…