Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted Friday that Neymar cost the Catalan club 57.1 million euro, but figures revealed in the Barcelona president's first press conference showed the total outlay was in fact 86.2 million euro.
Outgoing president Sandro Rosell resigned from his post on Thursday, just a day after it was announced that a complaint by Barca socio Jordi Cases for misappropriation of funds in the deal would be investigated in the Spanish High Court.
Cases' lawyer, Felipe Izquierdo, then revealed on Thursday that the complaint could be extended to include both Bartomeu and the club's economic vice president, Javier Faus
With that in mind, Bartomeu came prepared Friday for his first meeting with the media and presented a series of documents showing the breakdown of the fee.
"I want one thing to be absolutely clear," he told the media at a press conference at Camp Nou. "Neymar's transfer cost 57.1m euro."
That is the figure that has been quoted by Barcelona from the outset, and the club was sticking to its story Friday. However, a total breakdown of the money paid out by the Blaugrana showed the Catalans had in fact invested 86.2 million euro in the Brazilian forward, without including wages.
The 86.2 million euro can be broken down as follows: 57.1 million euro for the transfer itself (of which 40 million euro went to the player's parents), 10 million euro in the form of a signing-on fee, 2.7 million euro in commission, 4 million euro in marketing, 2.5 million euro for Neymar's foundation and 9.9 million euro in scouting and collaborative deals with Santos.
"I guarantee we have not lied," Bartomeu said, claiming the other figures were not included in the transfer itself. "Football games are won on the field of play, and we have always been highly responsible in the way we have dealt with our contracts. My colleagues have a high level of expertise."
The new Barca chief was asked on a number of occasions why the club had chosen to reveal the figures now and not while former president Rosell remained in charge.
"We had a confidentiality agreement, and we were unable to disclose that information until now," he said. "It is thanks to Neymar's father, who got in touch with us earlier today, that we have been able to reveal these figures. He called us and allowed us to reveal the information because he thought the club's current situation was unfair."
Barcelona also revealed that Neymar will earn 56.7 million euro in wages over five years. He will also receive a 2-million-euro bonus for finishing in the top three on the Ballon d'Or shortlist but currently has no agreement to claim any extra money for winning titles with the Catalan club.
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