Neymar flies to Qatar as €222m move to Paris Saint Germain nears

Barcelona striker Neymar will fly to Qatar today to discuss a potential world-record €222 million (£199m) transfer to Paris St Germain.

The 25-year-old Brazilian would become the most expensive footballer of all time if Ligue 1 club PSG sign him for a fee more than double the one Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba last summer.

Yesterday Qatari newspaper El Watan claimed Neymar will visit Doha to meet PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi ahead of what would be an historic move. The stopover on a return flight from a promotional trip to China could also include a medical, reports suggest.

Neymar has a contract with Barca running until 2021 that contains a €222m release clause, which ambitious PSG, deposed by Monaco as French champions last term, appear prepared to activate.

Thiago Silva and Dani Alves, both colleagues of Neymar in the Brazil squad, have both spoken about their countryman’s potential switch to Paris, with the latter urging his friend to “be brave”.

The player who Barca signed from Santos in 2013 was heavily involved in the Catalans’ 3-2 friendly victory over LaLiga arch-rivals Real Madrid in Miami on Saturday night.

Newly-installed Nou Camp boss Ernesto Valverde has stressed the striker’s importance to his team as he looks to reclaim the Spanish title from Madrid. Last week Neymar added fuel to the speculation by storming out of training following an angry confrontation with team-mate Nelson Semedo.

Hours later PSG defender Silva said details of a possible transfer might emerge “soon”.

Neymar, who was the catalyst for Barca’s famous Champions League comeback against PSG in March, has scored more than 100 goals for the Spanish giants.