Neymar set to join Saudi club Al-Hilal

• Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have agreed a deal with French giants Paris Saint-Germain to sign Neymar Jr
• Sources close to PSG reveal that the club could receive up to £86.3 million for the transfer of the Brazilian, who cost them £200 million in 2017

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have agreed a deal with French giants Paris Saint-Germain to sign Brazilian forward Neymar Jr.

According to reports, Neymar is undergoing his medicals today and is set to complete his move in the next 48 hours. Sources close to PSG reveal that the club could receive up to £86.3 million for the transfer of the Brazilian, who cost them £200 million in 2017.

Neymar is set to sign a two-year deal with Al-Hilal. Photo/ Tribuna.com.

Neymar will sign a two-year deal with Al-Hilal, who also tried to sign Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe this summer transfer window.

BBC Sports report that Neymar’s transfer is subject to the 31-year-old completing his medicals and all necessary paperwork. It is understood that the Brazilian forward will be earning £129.2 million per year while playing for Al-Hilal. The figure is six times compared to his annual earnings at Paris Saint-Germain, which was £21.6 million.

PSG sees Neymar’s exit as the end of their ‘Galactico’ era of signing high-profile players for big fees and significant wages. Lionel Messi already left to Inter Miami earlier this summer and Kylian Mbappe has been brought into line after missing PSG’s first game of the season.

Neymar, who joined PSG from FC Barcelona, was also left out of the club’s first game of the season on Saturday. Despite being one of the most gifted players of his generation, the 31-year-old was not part of manager Luis Enrique’s plan for the new season.

During his time with the Parisians, Neymar made a total of 173 appearances. He helped the club win 13 trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles. Despite being crucial in their campaign for the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League, he couldn’t help the team beat Bayern Munich in the final.

Neymar will be remembered as one of the most talented players to ever play for PSG. However, he never really fulfilled his potential due to struggles with a number of ankle injuries.

The Brazil international missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle. He was also out for several weeks in 2021 with the same injury. In March 2023, he had surgery that caused him to miss the rest of the 2022-23 season. He resumed training last month.

Neymar struggled with injuries during his time with PSG. Photo/ CBS Sports.

It was always likely that Neymar would leave PSG before the end of this summer transfer window, especially after the PSG Ultras demanded his exit. The fans demonstrated outside his family home in May.

Neymar Jr’s move to Al-Hilal is a sign that PSG are focusing on FFP. The French giants are doing this by reducing costs and raising revenue. The signings they have made this summer have all been younger and hungrier. The new arrivals have also agreed to less generous contracts. As of now, the average age of half of PSG’s squad is under 23.