Reports suggest that Al-Hilal, following their unsuccessful attempts to acquire Lionel Messi, have now initiated discussions with Neymar’s representatives for a possible summer transfer.
Negotiating a Potential Transfer: Al-Hilal’s Overture to Neymar’s Team
Recently, Al-Hilal dispatched a team to Paris in a bid to discuss a potential deal with the representatives of Neymar. This information, according to a source close to CBS Sports, indicates that the Brazilian star might be offered a contract akin to the lucrative deal Cristiano Ronaldo received at Al-Nassr last December, which is believed to be worth around €200 million (£171m/$215m) annually.
CBS Sports has provided insights suggesting that Al-Hilal is prepared to shell out nearly €45m (£38m/$48m) for Neymar. Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar’s current club, is apparently ready to take a significant hit on their initial €222m (£190m/$238m) investment made for the forward in 2017. It’s said that the reigning French champions have been shopping Neymar around to various European clubs, aiming to free up their roster for the 2023-24 season. Despite these efforts, PSG has not yet received any formal offers for the 31-year-old Neymar, who’s had a challenging time with fitness in recent years and is presently out of play due to an ankle ligament injury.
Al-Hilal’s Interest Shifts from Messi to Neymar
Lionel Messi, Neymar’s fellow PSG player, had been Al Hilal’s primary transfer target for the upcoming summer. However, it was revealed last week that Messi had requested to postpone a potential move to the Middle East. Messi subsequently announced his decision to extend his career with Inter Miami in the next season, with the MLS club formally welcoming the Argentine as his contract with PSG terminated on June 30.
If Al-Hilal succeeds in securing Neymar’s transfer, it would indeed be a significant achievement for the Saudi Pro League. Earlier in the year, Ronaldo was the first significant player to join the league, followed by Karim Benzema, who joined his former Real Madrid colleague in the Middle East earlier this month after signing with league champions Al-Ittihad.
Questioning Neymar’s Future Plans
However, it’s uncertain if Neymar is willing to leave European football at this point in his career, particularly as he still aspires to be part of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This potential move to the Middle East would undoubtedly mark a significant turning point in his football journey.