Barcelona exploring alliance with Europe's big clubs to block Neymar to PSG deal

Barcelona have gone on the offensive. In recent hours contact has intensified between club directors and executives of the G-14 clubs - Europe's biggest - to express the indignation and worry Barcelona hace with PSG, who they consider are making too aggressive moves. Barcelona will explore "any formula possible" which will allow them to block the French side's move for Neymar, if they activate the 222m euro release fee clause.

Barcelona's argument is, in the first place, that PSG are jumping over the FFP (Financial Fair Play) rules and it would be a dangerous precedent to set. But they are also explaining to the other big sides that if the operation happens they will have to sign a star player urgently, something which will increase the market prices still further, which are already in the clouds. 

According to sources who have listened to these conversations. They are still purely informal, and there are teams which have been receptive to exploring ways of stopping the operation happening as it's seen as an increasingly worrying threat. What is clear is that Barcelona have entered into a new phase - they decided yesterday not to pay Neymar's dad the 26m they owe him for the contract renewal last summer and left it with a notary to look after until the matter is settled.