By DAN KARELL
Barcelona could wind up paying twice as much as they paid for the transfer of Neymar if they lose a court case.
A Barcelona club member and the Sonda Group, who owned 40 percent of Neymar’s economic rights while he was on Santos, have sued Barcelona for €142 million ($195.3 million) over what they perceive as Barcelona not having paid the full transfer fee to the correct parties.
While Neymar has scored six goals in his last three matches and appears to be settling well in Spain, the facts over his transfer are known. Barcelona stated when the transfer was completed last May that they had paid €57 million for the Brazilian star, with €17 million going to Santos and €40 million going to Neymar’s father. In addition, Barcelona paid Santos an additional €7.9 million for the first right to three youth players, and there is still another friendly between Barcelona and Santos to be paid, with all sales going to the Brazilian club.
The Sonda Group are unhappy with the percentage of the transfer to them, as they only received 40 percent of the €17 million that went to Santos as opposed to 40 percent of the €57 million.
Here are some more stories to kick off your Wednesday:
LIVERPOOL WANT NEW CONTRACT FOR SUAREZ
Liverpool stood strong this summer despite Luis Suarez’s insistence to move to Arsenal, and they’re hoping that Suarez’s recent comments about how he is happy at Liverpool could lead to him signing a new long-term deal.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre traveled to Barcelona to meet with Suarez’s agent Pere Guardiola to open discussions for a new contract. Suarez still has two and a half years left on his current deal but Liverpool are hoping to re-work it to avoid a transfer saga like they encountered last summer.
The Uruguayan international has been on an absolute tear since he made his season debut in late September. Suarez leads the English Premier League with 17 goals in 11 matches, including an incredible eight goals in his last three matches.
BAYERN PROGRESS EASILY TO CLUB WORLD CUP FINAL
While other Bundesliga clubs are on their winter break, Bayern continue to work as they inch closer to a Club World Cup title.
The defending European Champions progressed to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande. Franck Ribery scored Bayern’s first in the 40th minute with a volley from a tight angle before Mario Mandzukic doubled the lead before halftime.
Summer signing Mario Götze scored on a long-range effort in the 48th minute to put the game away as Bayern cruised the rest of the match. The German treble winners will face either South American champions Atletico Mineiro or Moroccan club Raja Casablanca in the final, set for Saturday.
QUICK KICKS
The world’s soccer player association, FIFPro, will challenge the international transfer system in a European court. (REPORT)
Sergio Aguero could miss up to eight weeks now with his calf injury, according to Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini. (REPORT)
David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi round out Reuters’ top ten biggest sports earners of 2013. (REPORT)
AS Monaco forward Radamel Falcao has finally recovered sufficiently from his thigh injury and is back in first-team training, though head coach Claudio Ranieri hasn’t decided yet whether he will face Valenciennes on Friday. (REPORT)
The ultras section for Inter Milan and AS Roma have been banned for two matches over racism charges, while Lazio’s ultras have been given a suspended sentence. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Surprised to see Barcelona sued? Do you see Suarez signing a new deal with Liverpool? Think Bayern can win the Club World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.