"Santos have only received 17 million euros; ask Bartomeu"

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues told 'RAC1': “Ask the Barça vice-president where the other 40 million went to make the 57 million he said Neymar cost.”

More than a month after Barcelona officially presented new signing Neymar, controversy continues to surround the fee paid by ‘Los Azulgrana’ to secure the Brazilian’s services from Santos.

And the vice-president of the Brazilian side, Odilio Rodrigues, has told Catalan radio that Neymar’s former club received just 17 million euros from the sale of the player. Speaking to ‘RAC1’, Rodrigues added: “Ask [Barça vice-president Josep Maria] Bartomeuwhere the other 40 million went to make 57 million, which is what he said Neymar cost.”

On the day of Neymar’s unveiling as a Barcelona player, Bartomeu revealed to the media that the La Liga champions had paid 57 million euros to sign the 21-year-old.

The deal to take Neymar to the Camp Nou was completed following negotiations between the two clubs and the companies DIS and Teisa, who owned 40% and 5% of the player’s rights respectively.