13 August 2023 , 15:46
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Neymar is closing in on a move to Saudi Arabia and will reportedly pocket £150m whilst at Al-Hilal.
The world's most expensive player has been at PSG since 2017 and has four years left on his deal, but was told by the Parisians that he was free to find a new club this summer. The Saudi Pro League has flexed its financial muscles with a raft of additions this summer and could land another big name in the coming days.
L’Équipe reports that the Brazilian has reached an agreement with Al-Hilal, who are financed by the country's PIF (Public Investment Fund). A lucrative two-year deal has been agreed with the 31-year-old and a move is now thought to be a given.
PSG have already seen Lionel Messi leave for the MLS when his contract expired whilst doubt swirls over the future of Kylian Mbappe. Neymar could complete the trio's exit although a transfer fee still needs to be agreed as the French champions seek a £70m windfall.
That is a huge loss on the £198m they paid Barcelona six years ago as they sought to boost their Champions League chances, whilst Neymar himself opted to step out of Lionel Messi's shadow as he pursued his ambition of winning the Ballon d'Or.
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In Saudi Arabia the former Santos man will team up with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Rubén Neves, who both left the Premier League to take up hefty deals in the Middle East. PSG have already moved to bolster their frontline after hiring former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.
Goncalo Ramos, who made his name on the World Cup stage back in the winter, has arrived from Benfica on loan with the option to buy. Ousmane Dembele has also been signed from Barcelona for just over £50m whilst Marco Asensio has joined on a free after his Real Madrid contract expired.
The situation around Mbappe has been an unwanted distraction throughout the summer with the Frenchman confessing he won't sign a new deal, meaning he is free to leave for nothing next summer. PSG are keen to land a fee for the forward and had cast him aside with Neymar, but have since completed a major U-turn.
The club said in a statement: "Following very constructive, positive talks between PSG and Kylian Mbappe before game vs Lorient, the player has been reinstated into first team training squad this morning.' PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi is also understood to have told his squad: “Kylian is committed to PSG. Kylian is back.”