Barcelona to sue Neymar for €8.5 million for breach of contract

Barcelona have released a statement confirming that they plan to sue former player Neymar for the sum of €8.5 million for breaching his contract.

Neymar left Barcelona to sign for PSG over the summer in a world-record transfer worth €222 million.

A statement on the Barcelona website read: “FC Barcelona has sent to the Royal Spanish Football Federation the labour demand that on 11 August was filed against the player Neymar Jr before the Social Court of Barcelona, to transfer it to the French Football Federation and Fifa, to the appropriate legal effects.

“In this lawsuit, the club claims to the player the amount already settled corresponding to the renewal premium for breach of contract; €8.5m euros in damages; and an additional 10% in arrears. The club also claims that the Paris Saint-Germain subsidiarily assumes payment of these amounts in case the player can not take over.

“FC Barcelona has promoted these actions in defence of its interests, after a unilateral termination of the contract urged by Neymar Jr, a few months after the signature of its renewal until 2021. This defence will be exercised following the established procedures before the Competent bodies and without entering, in any case, in dialectical disputes with the player.”

It also says that they will ask PSG to pay the compensation if the player does not.

Neymar has made an excellent start to life in France, getting a goal and assist on debut against Guingamp and then scoring twice and assisting twice on Sunday evening during his home debut against Toulouse.