PSG are set to bid for Neymar next week (Picture: Getty)

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly stepping up their interest in the transfer of Neymar and will trigger the Barcelona forward’s £197million release clause on Monday or Tuesday.

Reports in Brazil and France have suggested there is a growing chance of the deal happening over the last few days, and now the Catalan press are suggesting the cogs are beginning to turn.

According to Sport, PSG are now set to launch their first bid for Neymar by activating the release clause in his Barca contract, which would automatically force the club into accepting their offer.

Neymar has seemingly signalled he’s keen on the potential move to the Parc des Princes, with reports claiming he’s told friends he hopes to make the surprise move.

Neymar is currently on pre-season with Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

The Brazil international has previously claimed he’s happy at the Nou Camp, but has remained suspiciously quiet throughout the last few days as speculation has piled up.

Regarded as one of the best players in the world after a superb four years with Barcelona, Neymar would smash the world transfer record if he did move for £197m.

However, Barca’s club president Josep Bartomeu insisted this week that it would be impossible for PSG to pay that price for the player without violating Uefa’s Financial Fair Play laws.

‘These clauses are impossible to activate, if you want to comply with the financial fair play,’ Bartomeu said. ‘If someone doesn’t want to comply, then of course it can be activated.’

Neymar has been at Barcelona since 2013, scoring 105 goals in 186 appearances for the Catalan giants, winning two La Liga titles, the Champions League and other major honours in the process.

Neymar has shone with Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

The 25-year-old formed part of the club’s 2014/15 treble-winning side, scoring in the 2015 Champions League final win over Juventus.

Losing the former Santos man would be a huge blow for Ernesto Valverde as the new manager prepares for his first season in charge, though reports are already suggesting they could sign Juventus star Paulo Dybala as a replacement.

Barcelona are also said to have bid for Neymar’s friend and fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho, though Liverpool have rejected an opening offer of £72m.

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