In what's shaping up to be a seismic shift in the football landscape, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reportedly confirmed an impending transfer agreement for their star Brazilian forward, Neymar, to Al Hilal, the powerhouse of the Saudi Pro League. This blockbuster deal, contingent on Neymar's successful medical examination, is rumored to carry a hefty price tag of around 90 million euros ($98.56 million), with potential for additional bonuses, as cited by BBC.
Neymar's high-profile move to the Saudi side has gained traction, with The Athletic confirming that the former Barcelona ace is currently undergoing the requisite medical evaluations.
The football world still vividly recalls Neymar's historic move in 2017, where he transitioned from Barcelona to PSG for an eye-watering 222 million euros ($243 million). While he was notably absent in PSG's recent Ligue 1 opener against Lorient owing to a viral ailment, Neymar's spell with the French giants has been nothing short of spectacular. Scoring an impressive 118 goals in just 173 outings, Neymar has been instrumental in leading PSG to five Ligue 1 titles.
Inside sources recently shed light on Neymar's intentions to seek new horizons away from PSG, paving the way for this monumental move.
Al Hilal's ambition in courting global football icons is evident. Despite their past unsuccessful endeavours to secure signatures from luminaries like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi - the latter now donning the Inter Miami jersey - Al Hilal remains undeterred. Neymar is not their sole acquisition; the Saudi team has already welcomed Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Kalidou Koulibaly to their ranks.
Residing in Riyadh, Al Hilal's illustrious reputation on the Asian football scene is undeniable. With an enviable trophy cabinet featuring 66 accolades, including 18 league championships and four Asian Champions League wins, they are a force to be reckoned with. The addition of Neymar complements Al Hilal's overarching strategy, further reinforced by the Saudi Public Investment Fund's recent announcement about a landmark investment and privatisation initiative for sports entities.
Such a venture includes numerous elite football establishments, with the likes of Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and, of course, Al Hilal at the forefront.
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