Brazilian star Neymar is in discussions about leaving his Saudi club Al-Hilal but his financial demands are holding up an agreement, a club source told AFP on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has had an injury-plagued stay in Saudi Arabia, playing just seven times despite a reported salary of around $104 million a year.
The source, who spoke on condition that he was not identified, said: “Neymar is discussing his departure with Al-Hilal but his high financial demands remain a major obstacle.”
Neymar is under contract with the Saudi Pro League club until June.
Reports in Brazil say Santos, the club where Neymar made his name in his now fading career, are in talks for him to return to his homeland but Al-Hilal would prefer a transfer while Neymar wants a loan deal.
Notably, Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017, for a record fee of €220 million ($230 million), remains the largest in football history. He joined Al-Hilal in August 2023, following the footsteps of other football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema into the flourishing Saudi league.
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Unfortunately, within two months of his move to Riyadh, Neymar suffered a significant setback—rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil, which sidelined him for a year. Following this, he has encountered multiple hamstring and knee injuries as he attempted to resume play for Al-Hilal.
Club coach Jorge Jesus remarked recently, “He can no longer perform at the level we have come to expect. Things have become increasingly challenging for him, which is unfortunate.” A return to Brazil could represent a final opportunity for Neymar, who holds the record as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 caps.
A return to Brazil would likely be the last chance for a player who is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 matches.
