Neymar Agrees To Join Al-Hilal In Deal That Scuppers FC Barcelona Loan

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has agreed to join Al-Hilal according to L’Equipe.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday night that the Saudi Pro League giants were negotiating with the world’s most expensive player’s camp.

According to ESPN Brasil, the player’s father flew to the Middle East to hash out what Romano described as a ‘huge’ offer.

Now on Sunday, L’Equipe reports that Neymar has accepted a two-season deal which will pay him €80 million ($88 million) a year.

As of yet, there is no word on what Al-Hilal will need to hand over to buy the forward from PSG, who paid FC Barcelona €222 million ($243 million) for him in 2017.

AS reported that PSG told Neymar they would not accept less than €150 million for him, but The Independent also reported this week that an offer of €60 million, which is pocket change for clubs backed by the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund, would be enough to land him.

On a two year deal on such money, it is difficult that Neymar will get the sole season at Camp Nou on loan previously reported on by SPORT.

Neymar, who currently earns $50 million a year at the Parc des Princes according to Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes, had reportedly agreed to lower his salary to €12 million a term in Catalonia.

The operation would have entailed Al-Hilal buying Neymar and then shipping off to Barca for 2023/2024, but you would think he would have to agree to join the Saudis for at least three years to make his dream second stint at his first European club materialise.

Neymar reportedly informed PSG a week ago that he wished to leave and rejoin Barca, who would struggle to pay a big transfer fee for him.

Then a few days later, Neymar was told by new head coach Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos that he doesn’t feature in their plans for the new season PSG kicked off with a 0-0 home draw against Lorient.

Neymar is headed for the exit door in the French capital, with his developing departure reportedly prompting Kylian Mbappe to rethink his own future and possibly renew his contract with PSG.