Neymar set for sensational Saudi transfer as deal for Brazilian star reaches 'final stages'

Neymar
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Neymar appears poised to leave PSG for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, with a transfer said to be close to completion.

Al-Hilal tried to lure Kylian Mbappe to the Middle East with a world-record €300m bid last month, having also tried and failed to sign Lionel Messi after his departure from PSG.

Mbappe had no interest in such a move and now looks set to stay with the Ligue 1 champions for another season, but Neymar's time in Paris looks to be over.

Neymar

Has Neymar played his last game for PSG? (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a deal for Neymar is "advancing to the final stages" and the 31-year-old is "tempted" by Al-Hilal's offer.

The fee offered for Neymar is unknown, but Transfermarkt currently value the former Barcelona man – who has two years left to run on his PSG contract – at €60m.

This summer has seen a long list of stars swap Europe's top five leagues for the Saudi Pro League – whose influx of quality talent really began with Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Al-Nassr in January.

Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez are among the biggest names to head to the Gulf state in recent months.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly (top right) is among the new arrivals at Al-Hilal this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Should Neymar join them, it will mark the end of an era for PSG – who broke the world transfer record to sign him from Barca six years ago.

The one-time Santos prodigy has made 173 appearances for Les Parisiens, scoring 118 goals.

More transfer stories

Transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final few weeks of the summer window.

Manchester United want Sofyan Amrabat, but they may have to set their sights elsewhere as they look to bolster their midfield engine room.

Meanwhile, Liverpool could yet beat Chelsea to the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

And Real Madrid are looking to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea as cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...