In a surprising turn of events, Neymar, the Brazilian football superstar, is currently in negotiations to join Saudi Arabia's football scene, potentially leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This comes at a time when Kylian Mbappé, another star player of PSG, has been reintegrated into the team after a period of uncertainty.
A source close to PSG revealed that Neymar, aged 31, is no longer a part of the club's future plans. This has led to immediate speculations linking him to Al-Hilal, a prominent football club in Saudi Arabia. Another source from Saudi Arabia confirmed that direct negotiations between Neymar's representatives and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) are underway.
If an agreement is reached, Al-Hilal is expected to initiate negotiations with PSG. Neymar's potential move to Al-Hilal would be significant, given that he joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for a record-breaking fee of 220 million euros ($241m). Reports suggest that Al-Hilal might offer around $80 million for the Brazilian.
Interestingly, Al-Hilal had previously made a substantial bid for Mbappé, which was reportedly declined by the player. Neymar's potential move to Saudi Arabia would see him join a growing roster of elite footballers who have been attracted to the oil-rich nation.
This list includes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Al-Nassr earlier this year. Al-Hilal, a traditional powerhouse in Saudi football, has won the Asian Champions League four times. The team is currently managed by Portugal's Jorge Jesus and boasts several international players, including Neymar's compatriot, Malcom.
While Neymar's future remains uncertain, Kylian Mbappé's situation at PSG seems to be stabilizing. After being left out of new coach Luis Enrique's team for PSG's opening match against Lorient, Mbappé was seen watching the game from the stands. However, a recent statement from PSG confirmed that after constructive discussions, Mbappé has been reinstated to first-team training.
This development comes after weeks of speculation regarding Mbappé's future at the club due to an ongoing contract dispute. The French striker has been hesitant to sign a contract extension, which has led to rumors of a potential move to Real Madrid.
PSG's president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, had previously stated that the club cannot afford to let Mbappé, whom they regard as the best player in the world, leave on a free transfer. The club's stance is clear: if Mbappé wishes to stay, he must commit to a new contract.
In the midst of these developments, PSG's start to the new Ligue 1 season has been less than ideal. Their opening match against Lorient ended in a goalless draw. With the ongoing saga surrounding their star players and a summer filled with departures and arrivals, PSG will be hoping to find stability and return to their winning ways as the season progresses.
