Neymar to Reportedly Sign With Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal

Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly accepted a $98.5 million transfer fee offer to send star forward Neymar to Saudi club Al-Hilal, according to UOL Esporte. 

Neymar’s contract with the Saudi Pro League club is for two years worth $88 million per season, according to French outlet L’Equipe. Al-Hilal, which is one of four Saudi soccer clubs owned by the government’s Public Investment Fund, was previously reported to have offered a $776 million salary to PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and a $1.6 billion offer for Lionel Messi. However, neither Mbappe nor Messi have signed with the club.

Al-Hilal has now evidently turned its attention to Neymar, who PSG paid a $243 million transfer fee in 2017 to obtain him from his contract with FC Barcelona. Last week, it was reported that Neymar would be rejoining FC Barcelona. However, the latest reports have him instead going to Saudi Arabia, where fellow star Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr. 

Since Ronaldo’s arrival, the Saudi Pro League has struck broadcast deals in over 170 territories, including its new U.S. media deal with Fox Sports and DAZN’s agreement to stream games in the U.K., Canada, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema have also recently joined teams in Saudi Arabia. 

Neymar’s reported deal would mark an agreement between Saudi Arabia and PSG owned by the Qatari government’s Qatar Sports Investments fund. U.S.-based private equity fund Arctos Sports Partners was reported in May to be interested in buying a minority stake in PSG.