Revealed: The real price of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona

Neymar's transfer fee was less than that Manchester United paid for Phil Jones.

We'll give you a second or two to process that. Neymar joined the Catalan club from Santos in 2013, with the fee at the time believed to be €57.3m. However, according to Susana Monje, the actual transfer fee was significantly lower. Barcelona's vice-president has revealed that the club only paid €19.3m for one of the world's best players, (Blackburn Rovers received €19.5m for Jones in 2011). "The cost of the signing is analysed from what accountants and auditors say," Monje said.

“Originally, the cost was €57.3m euros with a €2m add-on for the Ballon d'Or. After the agreement with the courts, we have to take €40m of the transfer fee and put that down as salary. "The cost of the transfer, therefore, is €19.3m. Then €24m salary per season. I would like to congratulate those who conceived the operation and the player for deciding to sign for Barca. "Taking into account the player Neymar is, the deal is clearly below market value."

The club are paying the Brazilian forward an astronomical wage, but undoubtedly got a bargain by paying so little for one of the world's best players. https://soundcloud.com/sportsjoe-gaa-hour/personal-abuse-from-pundits-and-dull-quarter-finals