Neymar earns £600,000 per week

• PSG have 12 of the 13 best paid players in French top tier, thanks to Qatari money
• Neymar earns £2.7m a month before tax, with Cavani and Mbappe on £1.3m 
• Outside of PSG, Ligue 1 wages are dwarfed by the English Premier League

PSG's takeover by the mega-rich Qatar Sports Investments changed the competitive and financial face of European football - so it is no surprise they dominate the list of best-paid players in Ligue 1.

French newspaper L'Equipe have published a list of the top 30 best-paid players in the national top division, by monthly wage before tax.

Of these, 13 play in Paris, including 12 of the top 13, with Monaco forward Radamel Falcao - at No 9 on the list - the only interloper.

PSG dominate the list of the best paid players in Ligue 1, with Neymar clear at the top

Neymar earns over double the wage of strike partners Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani

PSG have 12 of the 13 best paid players in the French top tier, thanks to their Qatari money

Even by the standards of the huge wages paid to modern top-level footballers, however, the monthly pay packet of Neymar is extraordinary.

The Brazilian forward joined PSG last summer from Barcelona for a world record transfer fee of £200million after the Ligue 1 side paid his buy-out clause - and they had to pay a pretty penny for his wages too.

Neymar is reportedly paid £2.7million every month - approximately £600,000 per week - which is more than double the next best-paid players in the list. 

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao is the only footballer to break the PSG dominated top 10

Those players are Neymar's strike partners, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, who each earn £1.3million every month, or around £290,000 a week. 

Four PSG players are paid over £1m a month, the other being defender Thiago Silva, while Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos earn just shy of seven figures, when their wages are converted from Euros into British currency.

The figures contrast with the wages paid in the English Premier League - the top seven in Ligue 1 would also appear in the top 10 highest earners across the channel.

Ligue 1's 20th best paid player is Steve Mandanda - in England, 20th is Raheem Sterling

However the drop off after the massive wages of PSG is notable. The equal 20th best-paid player in Ligue 1 - including Crystal Palace flop Steve Mandanda - earn just shy of £70,000 per week, while the 20th best-paid player in England is Raheem Sterling, on £135,000 weekly.

Fans of English clubs will also note a few familiar names earning good money in France - former Newcastle forward Hatem Ben Arfa earns £444,000 per month (£98,000 per week) to sit in PSG's reserves.

Dimitri Payet, after leaving West Ham in acrimonious circumstances in January 2016, takes home the same pay packet as Ben Arfa, while former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is the sole Nice player in the top 30, on £400,000 per month (around £90,000 per week). 

PSG Neymar plays 'Heads up!' with former team-mate Lucas Moura

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Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is the only Nice player to make the list

TOP 30 HIGHEST EARNERS IN LIGUE 1 BY MONTHLY WAGE (Credit: L'Equipe) 

Player	Club	Monthly Wage (£)
Neymar	PSG	2.7million
Edinson Cavani	PSG	1.3million
Kylian Mbappe	PSG	1.3million
Thiago Silva	PSG	1.2million
Angel Di Maria	PSG	995,000
Marquinhos	PSG	995,000
Thiago Motta	PSG	777,000
Javier Pastore	PSG	685,000
Radamel Falcao	Monaco	666,000
Dani Alves	PSG	620,000
Julian Draxler	PSG	533,000
Marco Verratti	PSG	533,000
Hatem Ben Arfa	PSG	444,000
Dimitri Payet	Marseille	444,000
Luiz Gustavo	Marseille	444,000
Mario Ballotelli	Nice	400,000
Florian Thauvin	Marseille	365,000
Steve Mandanda	Marseille	310,000
Joao Moutinho	Monaco	310,000
Mariano Diaz	Lyon	310,000
Memphis Depay	Lyon	310,000
Keita Balde	Monaco	300,000
Kostas Mitroglou	Marseille	293,000
Valere Germain	Marseille	266,000
Adil Rami	Marseille	266,000
Nabil Fekir	Lyon	266,000
Bertrand Traore	Lyon	266,000
Kamil Glik	Monaco	257,500
Stevan Jovetic	Monaco	250,000
Thomas Meunier	PSG	230,000

Manchester United pip Real Madrid to retain top spot in Deloitte's 'Money League' report after making £581m during the 2016-17 campaign

• Manchester United made a staggering £581million during the 2016-17 season
• The Old Trafford outfit pipped Real Madrid to the top spot by just £1.5million
• It is the 10th time that the Premier League side have topped the Deloitte list
• There was a record-breaking 10 Premier League teams in the top 20 spots 
•  

Manchester United have retained their position as world football's top earners, according to the latest annual 'Money League' report by accountancy firm Deloitte.

United made £581million during the 2016-17 season, pipping Real Madrid to the top spot by just £1.5million, the closest margin in the rich list's 21 years.

It is the 10th time the Old Trafford club have topped the Deloitte list, with their Europa League success being crucial to holding off Real, whose 12th Champions League win helped them swap places with Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Manchester United have pipped Real Madrid to top Deloitte's 'Money League' report

Premier League giants United have now topped the Deloitte list for the 10th time

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich held onto fourth spot and Manchester City stayed in fifth place with revenues of £454million. Arsenal climbed to sixth, swapping places with Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus keep their places to round out the top 10.

In a statement, Deloitte Sports Business Group partner Dan Jones said: 'United's ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro.

'With both Real Madrid and Barcelona forecasting further revenue growth in 2017-18, the battle at the top will likely come down to on-pitch performance again next year.

'With all three clubs through to the round of 16 of the Champions League, it may be as simple as the club that goes furthest in the competition will have the best chance of topping the Money League next year.'

The Old Trafford side's winning Europa League campaign was worth £39million

United pipped Madrid by just £1.5million, the closest margin in the rich list's 21 years

United's Europa League campaign was worth £39million, a testament to both the size of the British market for televised football and UEFA's efforts to raise the profile of the competition.

Unlike some studies of football's finances, Deloitte excludes revenues from player-trading but its numbers confirm several recent reports by other organisations, most notably last week's report on European club football by UEFA. It also underlines the growing financial clout of the Premier League.

For example, Spurs overhauled Borussia Dortmund to take 11th place, with Leicester up six places to 14th, West Ham up one to 17th and Southampton and Everton new entries in 18th and 20th respectively.

Both Leicester and Southampton were buoyed by their involvement in European competitions but the Premier League's record-breaking 10 teams in the top 20 is also a result of the improved domestic television deal that kicked in that season.

Tottenham and Leicester are just two of 10 Premier League clubs who made the top 20 spots

In fact, Premier League clubs nearly took half of the top 30 places recorded by Deloitte, with Crystal Palace, West Brom, Bournemouth and Stoke in 26th to 29th place - Bournemouth's revenue of £136.8million last season was £135.7million higher than their equivalent figure in the Money League.

Top 10 wage bills in European football

Top 10 wage bills in European football revealed as Barcelona are leapfrogged by PSG and Manchester United top the Premier League's salary charts

• Manchester City have risen up the charts rapidly under manager Pep Guardiola 
• But they are still behind rivals Manchester United in the Premier League chart
• The Premier League dominates the ranking - serial winners Juventus are 10th 
• Sportsmail has taken a look at the top ten wage bills across European football 

The release of Manchester City's annual accounts last week highlighted the extent to which Pep Guardiola has been backed as he looks to launch a new era at the Etihad Stadium. 

City, however, are not Europe or even England’s biggest spenders. 

Here, Sportsmail looks at the top wage bills across the continent and find a new club at the top of the pile.

1. Paris Saint-Germain - £279m (Top earner: Neymar, £537,000-per-week*)

We have a new leader. Following this summer’s transfer business – and the arrival of £33m-a-year Neymar – the Parisians have taken possession of the biggest wage bill in Europe, ahead of Barcelona. 

PSG have raised the bar, with the Brazilian taking home around £537,000-a-week. That works out at 88p per second. Nice work if you can get it.

Neymar's arrival has seen Paris Saint-Germain become the highest payers in Europe

2. Barcelona - £264m (Top earner: Lionel Messi, £500,000-per-week)

The giants of European football have a wage bill to match. However, the figures here have been calculated to reflect this summer’s loss of Neymar. 

That said, nobody believes the Catalan club will not make a statement in the forthcoming transfer window and may soon retake top spot from their French rivals.

Lionel Messi is Barcelona's top earner and expect more investment from them in January

3. Manchester United - £264m (Top earner: Paul Pogba, £290,000-per-week)

United’s figures reflect the substantial backing given to Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho after the short-lived David Moyes era as the club continues to try and recapture the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Football is a complex game, and while injuries have impacted the side, it is hard to reconcile the at-times negative tactics of the current incumbent with this hefty wage bill.

Manchester United's huge wage bill suggests they should be playing more attacking football

4. Chelsea - £250m (Top earner: Eden Hazard, £200,000-per-week)

Chelsea’s figures are due out shortly and, as was the case with Barcelona, may well be headed south following pending transfer activity, with Diego Costa about to shifted from the tab.

That said, the arrivals of the likes of Alvaro Morata and Tiermoue Bakayoko will not have come cheap.

Chelsea's payments are likely to dip, but Eden Hazard is still on an impressive £200,000

5. Manchester City - £244m (Top earner: Sergio Aguero, £220,000-per-week)

The cost of supporting Pep Guardiola in the first part of his City project became clear earlier this month when the Premier League leaders announced their annual figures. Salaries at the Etihad Stadium rose by 25 per cent in the Catalan’s first year. 

While that does not include the arrivals of the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Danilo and Kyle Walker, it should be noted that the departures of big earners such as Samir Nasri, Joe Hart, Fernando and Wilfried Bony, are also not included and so this should be a relatively accurate sum.

Sergio Aguero is the top earner at a Manchester City side whose wage bill has increased

6. Real Madrid - £240m (Top earner: Cristiano Ronaldo, £365,000-per-week*)

These are testing times in the Spanish capital for Zinedine Zidane and Co. The departures of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea and Danilo to Manchester City, with no high-profile arrivals, has sent them down the pecking order.

And that is reflected in their struggles in La Liga. They are third and eight points behind rivals Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains on Real Madrid's highest salary amid his own issues in front of goal

7. Bayern Munich - £235m (Top earner: Robert Lewandowski, £160,000-per-week) 

A summer of astute but costly acquisitions puts the Bavarians next on the list. The loan arrival of James Rodriguez from Real was notable.

Adding the likes of Corentin Tolisso, from Lyon, and Kingsley Coman, from Juventus, add to the sense that there is a desire to improve Champions League performance, something underlined by the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

Robert Lewandowski is Bayern Munich's best paid player as they push for European success

8. Arsenal - £210m (Top earners: Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, £150,000-per-week)

Arsenal announced their figures at the end of September, with a wage bill of about  £199m.

This will have risen slightly following this summer’s transfer business, with the addition of Alexandre Lacazette the highest-profile arrival, but their wage bill is still a long way short of clubs that the Gunners support see as key rivals.

Midfielder Mesut Ozil is one of two Arsenal players who are both on £150,000-per-week

The German's fellow contract rebel Alexis Sanchez also earns the same figure as Ozil

9. Liverpool - £210m (Top earner: Philippe Coutinho, £200,000-per-week)

A sign of how quickly things can change in the crazy world of English football comes with Liverpool’s drop down the list. Last year, their wage bill was bigger than that of Manchester City. 

However, a cautious period of activity has seen them be overtaken on the salary front and the departure of Philippe Coutinho, should it come to pass, will see costs drop again. Expect investment.

Philippe Coutinho is the best paid player at Liverpool but he may not be long for Anfield

10. Juventus - £150m (Top earner: Gonzalo Higuain, £130,000-per-week)

Another sign of the incredible sums floating around the Premier League comes with the arrival of Juventus in tenth place. 

The Italians dominate domestically and reached the Champions League final, but their wage bill is nowhere near that of some of England’s top clubs. Juve’s nearest rival? AC Milan on a distant £107m. 

*After tax

Juventus dominate Italian football but their wage bill does not come close to top English sides

The year's most spectacular bird snaps

The year's most spectacular bird photos including a kingfisher getting ready to devour its dinner have been revealed in their full glory. 

This year, Alejandro Prieto Rojas was named Bird Photographer of the Year for his memorable image of flamingos feeding their offspring in Mexico. 

Head competition judge Chris Packham said: 'As President of the British Trust for Ornithology I am proud to support Bird Photographer of the Year, a competition that will push bird photographers to new limits. We see lots of technically accomplished images and "nice" portraits of attractive species. But what we are looking for as judges are those images which have an instant and enduring "wow" factor. 

'To have been gifted with so many of these "wow" photos in the first two years of this competition is extraordinary, because photographing birds is enormously challenging. I am excited about seeing what this year brings and being involved again in choosing the best of the best.' 

The winning images are published in a book available for purchase from the British Trust for Ornithology and will be part of a traveling exhibition around the UK.

This stunning image called 'Catch of the day' by Vince Burton was the winner of the Nature Photographers Ltd people's choice award. Pictured, a common kingfisher in Suffolk, England

The battle: This shot is by Jose Garcia from Miami, Florida. He said: 'This Great White Heron fighting a green snake in the Florida Everglades. The fight lasted for nearly 20 minutes with the Heron having to release its prey'

This image of a great white pelican called 'Daily basket' by Ionel Onofras was taken in Romania. It was in the best portrait category

The winning submission: Photographer Alejandro Prieto Rojas won the top spot with this image of a famingo feeding its chick. It was taken at Rio Lagartos, Mexico. He will receive a £5,000 cash prize at an award ceremony. Mr Rojas took the photo during the annual feeding of the chicks. They are born with grey and white feathers and do not turn pink for a year or two

This image of whiskered tern called 'Calling for the Sun' by Ondrej Pelanek was taken in Hungary. It was the Gold award winner in the Young Bird Photographer of the Year category

This image of a willow grouse by Markus Varesvuo was part of his winning Best Portfolio 2017 category 

 This image of a Blue Tit on berries Markus Varesvuo was also part of his winning Best Portfolio 2017 category

Markus Varesvuo also featured this image of a gannet underwater for his Best Portfolio 2017 award

Head competition judge Chris Packham said: 'As President of the British Trust for Ornithology I am proud to support Bird Photographer of the Year, a competition that will push bird photographers to new limits.' Pictured, Great Grey Owl by Markus Varesvuo

He added: 'We see lots of technically accomplished images and 'nice' portraits of attractive species.' Pictured, Snowy Owl by Markus Varesvuo

This image of a bearded tit by Markus Varesvuo won an honourable mention in the Best Portrait 2017 category 

This image of male and female mallards by Francesco De Giuseppe won silver in the Creative Imagery 2017 category 

This image of whooper swans in snow by Wim van den Heever won bronze in the Creative Imagery 2017 category 

This image of a hovering barn owl by Jamie Hall won gold in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category 

This photograph of a starling in bird bath underexposed by Mohammad Murad won silver in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category 

This image of a willow grouse in the garden by Markus Varesvuo won bronze in the Birds in the Garden 2017 category 

This photo of a cormorant wing by Tom Hines won gold in the Attention to Detail 2017category 

This photo of a grey heron looking under wing by Ahmad Alessa won silver in the Attention to Detail 2017 category 

This image of an albatross eye close-up by Jessica Winter won bronze in the Attention to Detail 2017 category 

This photo of a guillemot stretching wing by Marc Weber won silver in the Best Portrait 2017 category 

This photo of fighting coots by Andy Parkinson won gold in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category 

This image of a diving kingfisher by Malek Alhazzaa won silver in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category 

This image of a swan's head underwater by Ian Wade won bronze in the Bird Behaviour 2017 category 

This photo of a red kite close-up by Jamie Hall won silver in the Birds in Flight 2017 category 

This image of a ptarmigan by Markus Varesvuo won bronze in the Birds in Flight 2017 category 

This image of a condor over mountains by Ben Hall won gold in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category 

This image of a crane flock on a misty lake by Piotr Chara won silver in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category 

This image of a blurred bird flock by Marc Weber won bronze in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category 

This photo of a female mallard by Daniel Stenberg won an honourable mention in the Birds in the Environment 2017 category 

This image by Bret Charman, from New South Wales, Australia, was the Gold award winner in the birds in flight category

This photo of a swimming eider by Pål Hermansen won bronze in Best Portrait 2017 category  

Breakfast and bedtime: Photographer Cheryl Schneider took this photo (left) of a Great White Heron catching a hapless fish which seems to be having something of an 'oh dear' moment. Georgina Steytler  from Toodyay, Western Australia, took this photo, right. She said: 'This common species of duck's most identifiable feature is the iridescent speculum feathers which are often only visible during preening or flight. I took this photo at a small lake. The still waters and the dark foliage of the background resulted in an opportunity to highlight the gorgeous feathers. I exaggerated the effect in Adobe Lightroom, but otherwise have not altered the original photo'

Terrifying new perspective: British photographer Tom Hines, from Harrow, Middlesex, took this extremely close-up shot of a lesser black-backed Gull in London's Hyde Park

Dark and stormy: This picture of Pitsea landfill was submitted to the category 'Birds in Flight' and was given an honourable mention. Photographer Gabor kapus, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said: 'We were ringing gulls at Pitsea landfill using cannon nets to catch the birds, the camera was on the ground just at the front of the net. I was trying to capture the moment when the net is fired and is still in the air above the camera. As we were waiting to fire the net this fox walked right at the front of the camera scaring all birds into the air -but at least I took this great image'

Adorable: This shot of two Gentoo penguin chicks was taken by Richard Sidey, from New Zealand, in Antarctica

Balancing act: British photographer Tom Hines snapped this shot of a Western Jackdaw daintily perched atop a red deer in London's Richmond Park. The birds regularly groom the larger animal for ticks and other insects

Catching a lift:  Jonathan Gaunt from Kelso snapped this picture of a female goosander with her newly hatched brood

Astonishing: A female Cardinal contortio was captured on camera by photographer Gary Cook in Beavercreek, Ohio

Haunting: This bloodied feeding vulture was captured by Ali Alshamsi, from Doha, Qatar. He took the picture on the Maasai Mara National Reserve, an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya

Kindergarden: Photographer Csaba Tokoly from Budapest, Hungary, captured this shot of Greylag goslings swimming 

Floral flight: Barn Owl hovering by Roy Rimmer of Wigan, Lancashire. POTY helps raise funds for the BTO, so far having raised over £5,500 from entry fees alone. The money has been used to help support the BTO's young birders programme, aimed at engaging a younger generation of naturalists and ornithologists

Scavengers: Marabou Storks were photographed by Daniel Rosengren,frmo Sweden. He said: 'Marabou Storks are scavengers, but they are not that good at ripping big pieces of meat off a carcass. Instead, they rely on other scavengers like hyenas or vultures to do that, so they can take the easy pickings from the ground. This photo was taken by placing the camera with a wide angle lens near the zebra carcass and trigger it with a remote from a distance.' The photo was taken in Tanzania