Unai Emery has claimed he convinced Neymar to swap Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Neymar became the costliest footballer in the world, after the Ligue 1 club activated his €222million release clause.
Most fans and pundits believed at the time that the Brazilian was desperate to step out of Lionel Messi's shadow at the Camp Nou.
But Emery, speaking with France Football, says he spoke with Neymar and explained how he would build a team around him.
"I always felt supported by President Nasser [Al-Khelaifi].
"For example, when we were on the verge of signing Neymar, it was up to me to personally explain to him that we were going to build the team around him.
"The president and the board spoke about the contract. However, it is up to the coach to convince him about the on-pitch project," Emery said.
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