Barcelona seeking at least €8.5M from Neymar for breach of contract

Barcelona is suing former player Neymar for alleged breach of contract and seeking at least €8.5 million in damages from Paris Saint-Germain's world-record signing, the Catalan giant announced Tuesday.

Barcelona claims Neymar must repay the club the sum of his renewal bonus, plus €8.5 million and another 10 percent in interest. The Brazilian signed a new five-year contract with the Blaugrana last October, only for PSG to activate the €222-million release clause in his deal to complete the blockbuster transfer this summer.

Legal action was taken Aug. 11, according to Barcelona's statement, just over a week after Neymar signed for the Ligue 1 outfit.

The statement read:

FC Barcelona has sent the Spanish Football Federation the labour lawsuit against Neymar Jr they submitted on 11 August at the Labour Tribunal in Barcelona so that they can pass it on to the appropriate authorities in the French Football Federation and FIFA.

In the lawsuit, the club demands the player return the already paid sum for his contract renewal as he has not completed his contract; €8.5 million in damages; and an additional 10 percent because of delayed payment. The club also requests Paris Saint-Germain take on responsibility for the payment of these fees if the player cannot do so himself.

FC Barcelona has started these proceedings to protect its interests following Neymar's contract termination just months after he signed a contract extension until 2021. This legal defence will be carried out following the established procedures with the competent authorities without entering into any verbal arguments with the player.

Although Neymar received remuneration for signing that contract, he didn't get the €26-million loyalty bonus he was reportedly due to earn in the week before he signed with PSG. Barcelona had placed the amount in the hands of a notary to see if Neymar would continue with the club, but recovered the money when he switched allegiances.

Neymar Sr. said he'd tried to convince his son to stay at Barcelona. However, the club's refusal to pay the loyalty bonus changed the father's attitude.

Neymar Jr. criticised Barcelona's directors following a magnificent performance against Toulouse at the Parc des Princes this weekend, saying they ruined an otherwise happy tenure at the Camp Nou.

"For me, they are not the people who should be there, for the direction of Barca," he said.

"Barca deserve much better and the whole world knows it."