Neymar agrees personal terms with Al-Hilal, deal very close – report

French publication L’Equipe has affirmed that Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona-linked forward Neymar has agreed personal terms with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.

The outlet adds that the Brazil international will sign a two-year contract with the Middle East side wherein he will receive nearly €160 million over the course of his tenure. 

At the moment, PSG and Al-Hilal are in talks to decide the transfer fee, especially since the 31-year-old’s ongoing deal with the Ligue 1 side runs until 2025 with an option to extend it to another year.

No chance of a loan to Barcelona

Earlier reports suggested that as part of his contract with Al-Hilal, the player would move to Barcelona on loan for the 2023-24 season mostly because he wanted to have a last hurrah in European football.

As it turns out, however, journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed there is absolutely no chance of the loan.

As far as Al-Hilal are concerned, they have come up with a huge proposal, so much so that not only PSG but even the forward is now tempted by the possibility.

The reported figures by various journalists and outlets range between a 80-to-100 million euros for the transfer fee, with a bumper salary for the Brazilian.

Barcelona will have to look for an alternative

The Barcelona board was largely divided with respect to Neymar, to say the least. While the management was of the idea that the 31-year-old is a sure-shot economic mine, the coaching staff expressed that he does not really fit into Xavi’s plans.

Furthermore, with Ousmane Dembele moving to PSG, there was a growing sense of belief that the team does need reinforcement despite having Ez Abde on the roster, but it does not seem likely that they will sign an attacker.

At best, the Catalans will only sign a midfielder and a right-back. Among these two positions, the Blaugrana are in dire need of a defender as there are no out-and-out right-backs in the team at the moment.