Neymar hopes to return to Barcelona after two years in Saudi Arabia – report

Neymar had been heavily linked with a move back to Barcelona this summer, but it did not come to fruition due to various factors.

The Brazilian is all set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal on a permanent transfer, having gone through his medicals earlier today.

The transfer is understood to be worth €80 million for PSG (excluding bonuses), while the 31-year-old superstar has been handed a hefty contract by the Middle Eastern outfit.

Neymar still yearns for Barcelona return

While he may now be joining Al Hilal, Neymar is still not giving up on the hope of a future return to Barcelona.

Indeed, according to L’Equipe, the attacking superstar hopes to secure a move back to Catalonia in two years’ time, after his contract with Al Hilal expires.

Neymar will be signing a two-year deal until 2025 with the Saudi Arabian giants with no option for a further extension.

It had been previously reported that the Brazilian was trying to convince his new employers to let him join Barça on loan for a year, but they were not convinced.

As such, the Brazilian icon now wishes to move to Barcelona once his contract in Saudi Arabia is up.

Intriguingly, though, only a while ago, reports claimed that Neymar had said in a few conversations that he will not return to Barça as long as Xavi Hernandez is in charge of the team.

The 43-year-old tactician was against the Brazilian’s return this summer even though most of the club officials, including president Joan Laporta and sporting directors Deco and Mateu Alemany, were on board with the idea.

It seems to have generated some feelings of resentment towards the manager, with Neymar reportedly refusing to return to the club until the former is still in charge.

Only time will tell whether Neymar gets his chance to come back to Barcelona two years down the line.