Signing Of Neymar Could Cost Barcelona $173M Following Prosecutors' Demands

Barcelona's signing of Neymar in '13, which began as a €17.1M transfer deal, "is on its way to becoming the most expensive deal in the history of the game," according to L.F.R. of MARCA. Right now, "if we total up everything that has already been paid and everything the club will have to pay if the prosecutors get their way," the deal will top €158M ($172.6M). The club "was quick to reveal" the €40M it paid Neymar's father in damages for "being unable to purchase his rights." Barça said €57M and the club has not budged from there. However, further investigations "have uncovered records which the club had hidden." If prosecutors "get their way," the operation will pass the €158M mark, three times more than the club initially admitted (MARCA, 3/24).