Liverpool legend John Aldridge says Neymar's €222m move from Barcelona to PSG proves football has "lost its soul".
Aldridge wrote for the Sunday World: "It would be very easy to fall out of love with football right now.
"While I will always be passionate about Liverpool and will feel that tingle of excitement when the new Premier League season gets underway next weekend, the €222m transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain confirms once and for all that our sport has lost its soul.
"Football became a business long ago, but this Neymar deal has taken that unpleasant reality to a whole new level.
"Why on earth would any player want to swap Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain?
"In addition, how can any football club justify paying such a ridiculous amount of money to make a transfer happen?
"Well, I guess we should be immune to being surprised by anything that happens in the game in an era when money, money and more money is all that matters to clubs, players and their agents.
"I'm sure Barcelona didn't believe anyone would consider paying the €222m release clause in Neymar's contract when it was drawn up, but this move to PSG reminds us that footballers are no longer seen as sportsman who can win matches on the field.
"PSG are buying Neymar the brand, the social media king, the talisman who can shift shirts by the millions across South America.
"The fact that he is a half decent player and will win a few matches for PSG in a pretty average French league is almost irrelevant to what he will be expected to do as he sells his soul to the highest bidder."
Source: tribalfootball.com