Neymar’s blockbuster 222 million euros ($263 million) transfer to French side Paris St Germain appeared close to completion on Wednesday, when Barcelona admitted defeat in convincing the Brazilian to stay at the Camp Nou.

Neymar’s team-mate Lionel Messi posted a farewell message on social media to the Brazilian, whose agent Wagner Ribeiro, an advisor to the player, claimed PSG would pay Barca’s asking price in the “coming hours” to more than double the current transfer record set by Paul Pogba’s 89.3 million ($111 million, 105.2 million euros) move to Manchester United last year. 

 “After Neymar gave me the green light on August 1, I went to Paris and brought PSG’s offer to pay the [buyout] clause, which will be done in the next hours,” Ribeiro said while entering the Barcelona airport with Neymar.

Ribeiro refused to say where Neymar was flying to. 

The move would complete a hectic few days in which Neymar’s heavily trailed exit has inched closer.

Events moved swiftly on Wednesday when Barca released a statement announcing that the 25-year-old had informed them of his intention to end a four-year stay at the club, and confirming the amount of his buy-out clause.

“The player Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the club in a meeting held at the clubs offices,” Barca said in a statement. 

Report by Miyen Akiri