Neymar clause poses a problem for PSG
According to L’Équipe, Neymar’s deal includes a clause which will automatically renew his contract to 2027, effective from 1 July.
On Tuesday, PSG president Nasser Al Khelaïfi gave an interveiw to Le Parisien in which he discussed plans to radically change the club’s transfer strategy. “It’s the end of extravagance,” he revealed, with reference to the recent signings which PSG have made in comparison to last summer’s spending spree, which culminated with Leo Messi joining.
One of the players who could be affected by PSG’s new policy is Neymar. Al Khelaïfi refused to confirm or deny that the Brazilian could leave the club in this summer’s transfer window: “We want players who love the club, who love to fight and who love to win. And we want that mentality to run right the way through the club (…) What I can say is that we hope that all of the players do a lot more than they did last season - much more. All of them need to be at 100%. Obviously, we just weren’t good enough to go far. Next season, the objective is clear - to work at 200% every day”.
However, regardless of Al Khelaïfi told Le Parisien, Neymar might not have much to be worried about. According to L’Équipe, Neymar’s contract, which runs until 2005, includes a clause to automatically renew his deal, taking him to 2027. That clause will be triggered on 1 July and will further complicate his chances of leaving the French capital this summer. Ney is determined to triumph at PSG and so an imminent departure looks unlikely.
Neymar decline
The 30-year-old forward, who renewed until 2025 just 18 months ago, is going through the most testing time since his arrival in Paris. Constant injuries and inconsistency out on the pitch have convinced the Emir of Qatar that the player is no longer untouchable. Some reports coming out of France claim that if a decent offer comes in for Neymar, PSG wouldn’t hesitate in selling him. The main problem would be finding a club capable of meeting his wages demands. He is the joint-second highest earner in the first team squad alongside Messi, and behind Mbappé - few clubs, if any, could match what he currently earns at PSG.
PSG have made it clear that the face of the new project is Mbappé and not Neymar. The Brazilian joined the club in 2017 as one of the world’s best players but in recent years he has been usurped by Mbappé. His importance in the team has waned and club president Al-Khelaïfi will no longer publicly claim he is not for sale. Whether another club would be willing to take on his exorbitant salary is another matter - especially for a player now well into his 30s and plagued by inconsistency.