Brazil star Neymar is set to become the latest big-name footballer to join the Saudi league.
The forward, 31, has agreed a two-year deal to join Al Hilal from French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Neymar is undergoing his medical today and is expected to complete the move within the next 48 hours.
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Sky Sports News is reporting that PSG are set to receive up to £86.3m for the Brazilian player.
The club paid a world-record breaking £200m for Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona in 2017.
Wages offered by clubs in Saudi Arabia are often much higher than what players can earn in European leagues.
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Neymar will take home €150m (£129.2m) a year in Saudi Arabia, according to Sky Sports News – six times the amount he earned at PSG.
Al Hilal have also attempted to buy Neymar’s star PSG teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe this summer.
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However, Argentinian forward Messi opted to join Inter Miami, while French player Mbappe is set to stay at PSG despite tensions over his contract.
The Saudi club offered £258m for Mbappe in July but he refused the one-year move.
Neymar is the latest high-profile player to move to Saudi Arabia this summer after Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves and Roberto Firmino all agreed deals.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr. After his acrimonious departure from Manchester United, five-time Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo headed to Saudi Arabia.
Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad. Reigning Ballon D’Or winner Benzema left Real Madrid after his contract expired, having won five Champions League titles during his time there.
Jordan Henderson – Al-Ettifaq. The former Liverpool captain has signed a three-year deal, leaving Anfield after 12 years to link back up with former team-mate Steven Gerrard, who is now the Saudi club’s manager.
Riyad Mahrez – Al-Ahli. Mahrez is the latest high-profile Saudi recruit after Manchester City agreed a deal worth up to £30m for the Algeria winger, who had two years remaining on his contract.
N’Golo Kante – Al-Ittihad. Kante headed for the Gulf on a free transfer as he opted to leave Chelsea at the end of his deal.
Kalidou Koulibaly – Al Hilal. After a single season at Stamford Bridge, Senegal centre-back Koulibaly left Chelsea for a fee in the region of £20m.
Ruben Neves – Al-Hilal. Portugal international Neves helped Wolves to win promotion from the Championship before enjoying five Premier League campaigns at Molineux, establishing himself as one of the best-regarded midfielders in the division.
Edouard Mendy – Al-Ahli. Mendy lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea after arriving at the club in 2020. He made just 10 Premier League appearances last season.
Marcelo Brozovic – Al-Nassr. Brozovic left Inter Milan after captaining the Serie A side in their Champions League final loss to Manchester City. The 30-year-old Croatia midfielder heads to Saudi Arabia after eight seasons and five major trophies in Italy.
Roberto Firmino – Al-Ahli. The highest-scoring Brazilian in Premier League history, Firmino was a firm favourite among Liverpool supporters after eight years at Anfield.
Jota – Al-Ittihad. After scoring 15 goals to help Celtic win a domestic treble, former Portugal youth international Jota made a £25m move at the start of July.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Al-Hilal. Lazio’s player of the season in 2020-21 and 2021-22, Milinkovic-Savic will be turning out in the Saudi Pro League after a reported £34.3m transfer.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said last month that he believes more and more “extraordinary players” will make the move to Saudi Arabia.
“I think the Saudi league has changed the market,” Guardiola said.
“Many things happened unexpectedly. Just a few months ago, a year ago, when Cristiano (Ronaldo) was the only one to go, then no one could imagine the amount of top, top players, quality, extraordinary players (who are) going to play in the Saudi league.
“I think in the close future it’s going to happen more and more.”
