French authorities searched the offices of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance on Monday as part of an investigation into allegations of favours given to Paris Saint-Germain over the £200million transfer of Neymar Jr from Barcelona in 2017. 

The Brazil international enjoyed a spell at the Catalan giants before PSG signed the player in what remains a world-record deal. 

After five years at Parc des Princes, the 31-year-old made the move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

According to French outlet Mediapart, Neymar’s initial transfer is under scrutiny as part of a wider investigation into influence peddling that has been ongoing since September 2022. 

The club’s former communications director Jean-Martial Ribes is alleged to have sought the advice of then-vice president of the National Assembly Hugues Renson on potential ‘tax advantages’ that could be found for the transfer.

Renson claims to have consulted former Minister of Public Accounts Gerald Darmanin over the possible taxation the deal would undergo. 

Ribes, who is alleged to have used his position at the club to gain sensitive information for both PSG and personal advancement – resigned from his role in 2022. 

Monday’s investigation was carried out by France’s Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Fiscal Fraud in the department of the General Directorate of Public Finances, and in the presence of investigating magistrates Vincent Lemonier and Serge Tournaire.