Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal to sell Neymar to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal after deeming the star, who they paid a world-record transfer fee for in 2017, surplus to requirements
Neymar is heading to the Saudi Pro League
Neymar is due to have a medical with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal later on Monday after Paris Saint-Germain agreed to sell the Brazilian star for £77million.
As Mirror Football exclusively reported in April, PSG have been keen to offload Neymar after six seasons in the French capital amid growing fitness concerns and the club’s new footballing strategy. The former Barcelona winger has agreed to leave the Ligue 1 champions and multiple reports claim that he’ll earn an eye-watering annual salary of £129m by signing a two-year deal.
Neymar, 31, will be sold by PSG for an initial fee of £77m before add-ons, representing a significant loss on their world-record outlay in 2017. The Parisians paid Barca close to £191m for his services but club chiefs have decided to cut their losses while the Brazil international still has two years remaining on his current contract, as they attempt to move away from being focussed on big-name stars.
Al Hilal’s lucrative swoop makes Neymar - who’ll pocket £2.5m-a-week wages - the latest of many high-profile players to move to Saudi Arabia, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane. Saudi clubs have splashed the cash during the summer transfer window, with Al Hilal also signing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, Lazio stalwart Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Neymar - whose move is due to be completed within 48 hours - was left out of PSG’s squad to face Lorient in their opening game of the season on Saturday because of a virus, as new boss Luis Enrique’s side slumped to a 0-0 draw. The ex-Barcelona forward worked with Luis Enrique at the Camp Nou for three years, but Neymar’s manager gave a cryptic response when asked about his future.
“The philosophy of this club is very clear, it is above all the players and coaches,” the former Barca boss was quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo. “Regarding the issue of Neymar, I have as a rule to keep conversations with the players private. My actions will say more things than my words.”
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Neymar is set to complete his £77million transfer within the next 48 hours (
Image:
Chung Sung-Jun/Paris Saint-Germain Football/PSG via Getty Images)
Last week it was suggested that Barcelona had been offered the chance to re-sign Neymar and club captain Sergi Roberto had welcomed the prospect of his return. “I have spoken with Neymar, what we talked about is private,” Roberto revealed to Sport.
“He would be excited to return. I’m sure he would bring us a lot, but in the end, I’m not the one who decides. So those in charge of deciding whether he comes or not will decide what is best for the club.”
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Current Barca boss Xavi was also recently asked about Neymar and replied: “I can’t advance anything. Last year I said the name of a player from another team and they got angry. Between now and the end of the market, we’ll see.”
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