Jose Mourinho Says Neymar to PSG Isn't Expensive, 'Consequences' Are Problematic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Wednesday said Neymar's proposed €222 million (£199 million) move to Paris Saint-Germain will represent value for money but admitted he is worried about the precedent it may set.

The deal for Neymar will eclipse the £89 million United paid to secure Paul Pogba last summer in a world-record deal. Mourinho was adamant both players are worth that type of investment, per Rob Dawson of ESPN.co.uk.

"When we paid that amount for Paul, I [said] that he was not expensive," the Portuguese said. "Expensive are the ones that get into a certain level with a certain quality. I think Neymar is going to happen the same. I don't think he's expensive."

Mourinho added that this transfer may mean "you are going to have more players of £100 million and £80 million and £60 million," adding "I don't think the problem is Neymar; it's the consequences."

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As Dawson reported, Neymar is edging closer to completing his move to PSG after Barcelona gave him permission to miss training and then confirmed he wanted to leave the club on Wednesday.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has already said farewell to his soon-to-be former team-mate:

€222 million is a remarkable amount of money to part with and, as previously mentioned, more than double the football transfer record. But if any player in the sport is worth that type of outlay, it's arguably Neymar.

At 25, with his talent, big-game pedigree and penchant for entertainment, there are few risks in this deal for PSG. Neymar should fire them to the Ligue 1 title next season, will make them serious contenders in the UEFA Champions League and will make the club a heap of money commercially.

There will undoubtedly be knock-on effects from this deal—not just in terms of Barcelona's attempts to sign a replacement with the fee received but also across football.

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As John Brewin of ESPN noted, there have been some massive deals done in this transfer window:

This transfer may be the benchmark when elite players move on in the future. Granted, there aren't many footballers as talented as Neymar, but there are players at top clubs who are just as important as he was to Barcelona.

Mourinho knows that all too well, having spent a world-record sum to land Pogba a year ago and then this summer agreeing a deal worth a potential £90 million with Everton for striker Romelu Lukaku. In the current climate, the Red Devils boss will feel content with both acquisitions.