Neymar to PSG is an 'unusual set of events', says Richard Scudamore
Wednesday 9 August 2017 12:08, UK
Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore says he is pleased the world-record transfer deal for Neymar did not involve a Premier League club.
And Scudamore regards the move that made Neymar the most expensive footballer of all time last week as a demonstration of spending power by Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners that is unlikely to be repeated on the same scale.
The Ligue 1 club smashed the previous world-record fee when they parted with £200.6m to sign Neymar from Barcelona.
And Scudamore told Sky Sports: "There is a point where you say actually 'no'. I am glad that is not us who has got that particular record.
"That is an unusual set of events I think. The Qataris - who own PSG - have suddenly decided they want to make a statement.
"And the rather perverse thing with having these buyout clauses is they are meant to prevent players moving.
"This one was tested and it does not worry me at all and I am kind of sitting here glad it was not a Premier League club who spent that much money on a player."
No world records have been set but Premier League clubs have been spending significant sums of money this summer.
However, Scudamore thinks the transfer fees being paid out are sustainable.
"The reality is there are pressures everywhere, fans want their clubs to go sign players, always have done," he said.
"The economics of the game are straightforward. Clubs have assets, particularly broadcasting rights, we have global interest in that.
"That generates income, that income is then invested and clubs have always pretty much spent what they can on acquiring talent and then on other infrastructure, like stadia and community schemes.
"We have rules in place that ensure the clubs are sustainable, clearly you cannot pay the absolute top dollar for every player."
