Report: PSG forward Neymar signs 2-year deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal
Paris Saint-Germain soccer superstar Neymar has reportedly signed a two-year deal to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The contract was finalized Monday after the Brazil star passed medical exams, according to Fabrizio Romano.
France’s leading sports daily, L’Equipe, reported Sunday that the PSG and Brazil forward will receive a total of 160 million euros ($175 million) over two seasons. No details were given as to how much the transfer fee would be for Neymar, who has also been linked with a return to Barcelona.
Neymar missed PSG’s season-opening 0-0 draw against Lorient in the French league on Saturday after training alone on Friday, with the club saying it was because he was recovering from a viral infection.
The 31-year-old Brazilian joined PSG from Barcelona for a world-record fee of 222 million euros (now $244 million) six years ago, the same year Kylian Mbappe joined from Monaco in a deal worth 180 million euros.
PSG had already received a world-record $332 million bid from Al-Hilal for Mbappe, who is in the last year of his contract and has been mired in a transfer standoff. Mbappe, who reportedly refused to meet with representatives from the Saudi club when they were in Paris last month, has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid next season on a free transfer.
Tensions between Mbappe and PSG eased a little on Sunday after he was allowed to return to training following "constructive and positive talks" between the two parties.
Mbappe sat out Saturday’s draw with Lorient after being left out of training. Midfielder Marco Verratti was also not selected by new coach Luis Enrique, and has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League after joining PSG in 2012.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
