Timeline: How PSG pulled off the most expensive transfer in history

In the matter of a few short weeks, Paris Saint-Germain carried out one of the greatest heists in football history.

And no one thought it would ever happen.

The €222-million operation to extract Neymar from Barcelona began in earnest in mid-July and reached its sensational conclusion Thursday. Offering a massive hike in salary and the chance to lead a Champions League contender, PSG successfully persuaded the masterful dribbler to join the French side's revolution.

Related: Paris Saint-Germain shatters world-record fee with €222M Neymar nab

Here's a blow-by-blow account of how exactly the megadeal came together:

July 17: Multiple reports in Brazil and Spain suggest PSG is prepared to activate Neymar's €222-million release clause.

July 18: Brazilian journalist Marcelo Bechler, one of the first to break the news, writes on Twitter that Neymar has accepted PSG's proposal. On the same day, Barcelona's vice-president, Jordi Mestre, rubbishes the rumours and says he is "200 percent" certain Neymar will continue with the team in 2017-18.

July 20: PSG manager Unai Emery all but confirms the club's interest in Neymar. "If we want to compete with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid and win the Champions League, then we will need someone from the top five" players in the world, Emery said.

July 22: Despite heavy speculation over his future, Neymar cancels out all the noise in a sterling performance against Juventus, scoring twice to bring a sell-out crowd in New Jersey to its feet.

July 23: Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique, who holds significant pull in Catalonia, tells the world via social media that Neymar will stay.

July 25: Pique later backtracks on his Twitter post, saying he had only conveyed his "personal opinion" and not Neymar's absolute decision.

July 26: Neymar again dazzles on Barcelona's U.S. tour, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

July 27: Summer signing Nelson Semedo nearly comes to blows with Neymar during training. Sergio Busquets restrains the Brazilian, who later storms out of the session. Neymar then cancels a scheduled commercial appearance in China because, according to his sponsor, he is "busy with transfer business."

July 28: Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez publicly call on Neymar to turn down PSG and push on with Barcelona. "He is worth more than $200 million or $300 million," Iniesta says. "His playing style suits us and he can only improve with us." During an appearance at a Nike store, Neymar refuses to break his silence.

July 29: Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo believes Neymar told his teammates he has decided to quit Barcelona for PSG. La Liga president Javier Tebas also vows to take legal action if Les Parisiens attempt to pay Neymar's release clause, citing a breach of Financial Fair Play regulations.

July 29: Later that day, Neymar serves up two assists in a wild edition of El Clasico in Miami. It would be his final match for the Blaugrana.

July 31: Neymar travels to China to fulfil commercial obligations. He reveals nothing about his future during the trip.

Aug. 2: After a few days off, Neymar reports to training at Barcelona, where he informs club officials of his intention to leave. The Catalan giant allows the 25-year-old to skip practice, and invites PSG to pay his €222-million release clause.

Aug. 3: Neymar's legal team presents a cheque to La Liga's office with the full amount, only to see it rejected by the league. His representatives then deposit the money directly to Barcelona, thereby terminating his contract with the club.

Several hours later, PSG makes history by announcing it has captured Neymar and signed him to a five-year contract.