ESPN staffAug 2, 2017, 05:50 AM ET
Barcelona star Neymar has smashed the world transfer record with a €222 million (£198m) move to Paris Saint-Germain, after telling the Spanish club he wants to move.
ESPN FC has been covering the story from the start: here is how it has evolved.
June-July: A summer off
Things began easily enough. Neymar had just enjoyed his "best season" at Barcelona, having signed a five-year contract in October, and he was on his summer holidays. And he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself in the U.S.
July 9: Preparing for next season
Neymar tells ESPN Brasil: "It's going to be one of the most important seasons of my life. It will be the most important season of my life. So I'm really happy and really excited, and I'm going to start training and get prepared."
July 17: The news breaks
Spanish outlet AS reports that PSG are ready to pay €222 million -- double the world-record transfer -- to sign Neymar, if the player would agree to move to France. Meanwhile, Diario Sport reports Neymar is growing "uncomfortable" at getting second billing behind Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
Barcelona spokesperson Josep Vives later says: "Neymar's departure is not in the club's imagination; the club just thinks of keeping the best players like him, one of our main symbols."
July 18: An agreement is made
Wow. Brazilian journalist Marcelo Bechler reveals that Neymar has accepted an offer to join PSG.
Neymar aceita proposta do PSG. Clube francês pagará os 222 milhões de euros. Em instantes mais detalhes no @Esp_Interativo
- Marcelo Bechler (@marcelobechler) July 18, 2017
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 18, 2017A new look for Neymar?
A report in Brazil claims that Neymar is set for a world-record move to PSG. https://t.co/iwqT7ZL15l pic.twitter.com/18sS2vEcKz
PSG sporting director Antero Henrique has reportedly rushed back to Paris to meet with Chairman & CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi... 😏 #Neymar https://t.co/OfoHEmVoom
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) July 18, 2017
July 19: A deal moves closer
A source tells ESPN FC's PSG correspondent Jonathan Johnson that Neymar has not yet agreed a deal, but serious talks are expected to start soon. The source adds that PSG sporting director Antero Henrique has also restarted dialogue with the representative of Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez after initially cooling their interest.
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens joins the FC TV show to explain how PSG are doing everything in their power to sign Neymar.
July 20: Barcelona react
Barcelona grow tired of the ongoing Neymar speculation and say they will leave a decision on the player's future up to him and his father, a source close to the Catalan club told ESPN Deportes.
Meanwhile, with the club out in the U.S. on tour at the International Champions Cup, Neymar is the last off the team bus.
Messi, Suarez and Neymar last off the bus as Barça arrive for morning session NY Red Bulls' training facility pic.twitter.com/IHkl1GLhTr
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 20, 2017
Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu then tells The Associated Press: "He is not on the market."
July 21: Teammates gather round
Javier Mascherano tells ESPN FC in an exclusive interview that he still believes Neymar can be Barcelona's future.
"There's nothing for me to tell Neymar, he already knows where he is," Sergio Busquets tells a news conference. "He can't be anywhere better. I hope he stays for many years."
July 22: But terms agreed
Neymar tells Paris Saint-Germain he wants to move to the Parc des Princes and agreed to terms on a contract, a source close to the French club tells ESPN FC.
July 23: Game day
Neymar scores two stunning goals in Barcelona's 2-1 International Champions Cup win over Juventus.
"Barca are not going to go without Neymar," new coach Ernesto Valverde stresses after winning his first game in charge since replacing Luis Enrique at the end of last season. "We want him with us. We know the importance he has not just in our play, but also in the dressing room, where he contributes to the dynamic of the group. We want him with us, that's clear."
Neymar the last Barça player to leave, once again without comment pic.twitter.com/vLE7HshgM0
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 23, 2017
July 24: Going nowhere?
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique posts a Twitter image of himself with Neymar, along with the message "Se queda,'' which translates as "he stays."
Se queda. pic.twitter.com/RtPHUr9iTH
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) July 23, 2017
However, he reveals later that it was just his intuition that Neymar would remain at Camp Nou, where he has a contract until 2021, and confirms the players are trying to convince him to turn down the French club's offer.
July 26: Business as usual
Barcelona's next game was against Manchester United and, during a training session before the game, Neymar appeared to have lots to say to his watching father.
Wonder what Neymar and his dad are chatting about pic.twitter.com/gfMZJfTLJ4
— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) July 25, 2017
Oh, and he scored again as Barcelona won 1-0.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 27, 2017NEYMAR!!!
He scores from close range and Barcelona take the lead! 1-0! pic.twitter.com/hhvKaIlJn2
July 27: Off to China?
Neymar will not fly back to Barcelona with the squad following Saturday's Clasico matchup against Real Madrid in Miami, a source tells ESPN's Jordi Blanco.
According to the source, the Brazil international will head to China to satisfy promotional obligations for Barcelona and Nike directly following the conclusion of the Blaugrana's International Champions Cup tour of the United States.
July 28: Pique joins ESPN FC to explain his tweet
Gerard Pique speaks to ESPN's Hannah Storm about his tweet, and insists that he wants Neymar to stay.
But then, new Barcelona signing Nelson Semedo clatters into the Brazilian in training, causing him to storm off.
July 29: Clasico classic
Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta fend off Neymar questions ahead of the Clasico and the player himself remained professional throughout the 3-2 win over Real Madrid, writes Gab Marcotti.
Barcelona taking the pitch in Miami. #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/efgFNEruj6
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 29, 2017
A source tells ESPN FC that PSG are so confident that they have convinced Neymar to join them that they have already started to consider how to unveil him as their latest signing
July 30: Holding firm
Valverde says after the game: "I try to talk about what is happening right now. Neymar is here with us, we count on him and we think that he should help us out this year.''
And club sources tell ESPN FC that Barcelona will report Paris Saint-Germain for a breach of UEFA's financial fair play (FFP) rules if the French club end up paying Neymar's €222m buyout clause.
July 31- Aug. 1: Off East and back to Barcelona
Barcelona striker Neymar spends Monday in China on a promotional tour but the rumours really start to fly when he lands in Dubai on the way home.
Various reports followed -- some suggesting Neymar's next destination would be Brazil, others indicating Qatar or Paris -- but he lands in Spain on Tuesday night. Catalan television channel TV3 shows images of Neymar walking quickly through Barcelona's airport while wearing large headphones.
And it would appear that the Brazil superstar is beginning to lose the support of his once-adoring public.
Aug. 2: The bombshell drops
But the next day, it's official. Neymar wants to leave Barcelona. The forward says goodbye to his teammates, and Barcelona release a statement which reads: "The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the Club in a meeting held at the Club's offices.
"Faced with this position, the Club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222 million euros which will have to be deposited in its entirety."
BREAKING: Barcelona confirm that Neymar wants to leave the club for PSG: https://t.co/3UtekPe6Dj pic.twitter.com/B19lNcYTcN
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 2, 2017
Messi even took to Instagram to say his goodbyes, posting: "It was an enormous pleasure to have shared these years with you Neymar, friend. I wish you a lot of luck in the next stage of your life. See you."
A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on
All that is left is for PSG to stump up the cash. But there is a spanner in the works, as La Liga president Javier Tebas says he is ready to file a complaint about "financial dopers" Paris Saint-Germain to UEFA and the European Union for what he feels are clear breaches of financial fair play over their pursuit of Neymar.
ESPN FC's Gemma Soler reports from Barcelona as Neymar says goodbye to his Barcelona teammates in preparation for a move to PSG.
Aug. 3: A hitch, before a buyout, then an announcement
The deal is done: Neymar is a Paris Saint-Germain player. The Brazilian international moves to the French capital for a world record fee and has signed a five-year contract.
Earlier on Thursday, a source told ESPN FC that Neymar was due in Paris after undergoing a Paris Saint-Germain medical in Portugal.
But then came a complication when La Liga reportedly rejected PSG's €222m payment. President Javier Tebas insisted he was ready to file a complaint about "financial dopers" PSG to UEFA and the European Union for what he feels are clear breaches of financial fair play.
BREAKING: Barcelona terminate Neymar's contract after accepting world-record €222m fee. https://t.co/5fFnzDY2sA pic.twitter.com/rCus4PiiU9
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2017
However, Barcelona later officially released the Brazilian international after accepting a world-record payment of €222 million that activated his contract's buyout clause. In a statement, the club said it "will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case."
Neymar then announced the reasons why he has chosen to move on.
Aug. 4: The press conference
Finally, you can buy a Neymar No. 10 shirt.
Looks like something big is going down at Parc des Princes 🤔 #BemvindoNeymarJR #PSG pic.twitter.com/dewyyVZvhx
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 4, 2017
To be honest, I have seen bigger crowds for Unai Emery pre-match press conferences... 🤣 #BemvindoNeymarJR #PSG pic.twitter.com/vsmuxQe3If
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 4, 2017
And, the press conference arrives. Here is Neymar landing at the airport, and then at his new home.
— PSG English (@PSG_English) August 4, 2017
Here he is! 😍 #BemvindoNeymarJR #PSG pic.twitter.com/u5sauXge0q
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 4, 2017
Here are his first quotes: "I am very, very happy. I cannot describe what I am feeling in my heart right now. I am here to help the team to win as many titles as possible. I have come to take on a new challenge and to win titles.
"I have never been motivated by money. It is not my primary concern. I always follow my heart."
PSG president Nasser Ghanim Al-Khelaifi added: "I am very happy to present our big star, an idol to the whole world. We have always wanted Neymar. He is the best player in the world and now he is ours. We did not buy Neymar because Barcelona wanted Marco [Verratti]. We simply wanted the best player in the world."
Then Neymar was shown around the PSG pitch. And PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes the world-record signing of Neymar will prove to be a shrewd investment.
#BemvidoNeymarJR #PSG pic.twitter.com/eBjEB6CCx6
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 4, 2017
Neymar & Al-Khelaifi take a stroll on the Parc des Princes pitch. #BemvindoNeymarJR #PSG pic.twitter.com/NC6VCjsQgl
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) August 4, 2017
ESPN FC will be speaking to Neymar one-on-one soon but, in the meantime, here's Al-Khelaifi with his views on the move.
And here is, the man of the moment!