Neymar could end up costing Barcelona €220 million due to his transfer, contract deals and potential legal payouts, according to the right-h...
The Brazil international signed for the Camp Nou club two years ago for a €57m fee, but several months later it emerged the full cost of the transfer with hidden payouts was €86.2m.
The fallout from Neymar's transfer from Santos resulted in Sandro Rosell stepping down as Barcelona president and Josep Maria Bartomeu filling his shoes for 18 months.
Bartomeu is Laporta's main rival for the Barca chief position and he insisted on Friday that Neymar's actual cost remained €57m, dismissing the pending fraud trials as without merit.
Laporta's general director Joan Oliver, who will become the Catalans CEO if the former club chief wins July 18's elections, is concerned with how Neymar's deal will impact Barca financially.
"Neymar could end up costing up to €220m," he told Marca. "For now the total cost is €100m, but after the court proceedings it could rise by another €122m due to economic liabilities."
Although Neymar's transfer has cast a shadow over Barcelona since his arrival, the 23-year-old is largely considered to have been a huge success.
Under Luis Enrique last season, the forward scored 39 goals in 51 appearances for Barcelona as the club romped to success in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey.
