Neymar’s next club CONFIRMED as Barcelona offer revealed

Robin Bairner

27 Jan 2025 08:15 GMT
3 min read

Neymar’s future has been decided, with the Brazil great set to leave Al-Hilal on loan during the January transfer window in a surprising twist for the former Barcelona and PSG attacker.

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Neymar’s spell in the Saudi Pro League has been devastated by an ACL injury that kept him on the sidelines for more than a year. Now Al-Hilal have taken the decision not to register the player for the second half of the season, opening the door to an early exit.

Whether this comes in the form of a loan deal or if Neymar’s contract, which expires in June, is cut short by mutual consent is unclear, but what is obvious is that the Brazilian is on the move – and he will go now rather than wait until the summer.

Current ETV

Neymar

F (L), M, AMC

Al-Hilal

Neymar

F (L), M, AMC

Al-Hilal

ETV Range

€8.1M - €13.6M

According to journalist Victor Navarro, Barcelona were given the opportunity to sign their former player in what would have been a spectacular and unexpected return to Camp Nou given the animosity that surrounded his world-record €222 million departure to PSG in 2017.

Barca sporting director Deco had revealed that the club had discussed the possibility but ultimately rejected it because of the finances involved.

“Neymar's return to Barcelona has always been something very difficult. When he went to Saudi Arabia, we knew that he was a very expensive player, especially in terms of Financial Fair Play,” he told TNT Sports.

“Neymar, when he is at his best, is one of the best players in the world. For me, he still is and always will be. It is clear that when Neymar is at his best, he would be welcome at any club in the world. So an operation related to Neymar can never be ruled out.”

Neymar has also been linked with a move to MLS, where he could join the Chicago Fire or hook up with former Barcelona and PSG team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Neymar is returning to Santos

Neymar will instead head back to Santos, the club at which he started his storied career. He will sign a six-month contract with the Brazilian side and could make his debut as soon as 5 February.

ESPN claims that his contract at Al-Hilal will be terminated, with a discussion between the two parties early this week to clarify the final details of the deal.

Neymar could potentially sacrifice up to €65m in order to move back to Santos but ESPN claims he is determined to get his full earnings from the Saudi Pro League side, throwing up a potential late complication for the Brazilians.