Al-Hilal look to remove Neymar and make big-money January transfer

Suraj Radia

Updated: 9 Nov 2023 18:40 GMT
4 min read

Neymar, Al-Hilal — © ProShots/FootballTransfers

Al-Hilal will look to temporarily suspend the registration of Neymar and replace him in their squad in January, with the forward set to miss the remainder of the season through injury.

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Neymar became one of the headline signings of the Saudi Arabian revolution during the summer, which saw him move from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €90 million.

However, the 31-year-old suffered a ruptured anterior cruiciate ligament injury while on international duty with Brazil last month and has undergone surgery which could also see him sidelined for next summer’s Copa America tournament.

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Al-Hilal currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League and manager Jorge Jesus wants to strengthen his title push in January by signing a left-back, according to Arriyadiyah.

However, Al-Hilal currently have a full quota of foreign players, meaning they will have to unregister one if they do wish to bring in another superstar from outside of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hilal are allowed eight non-Saudi players in their squad but the removal of Neymar will allow Jesus to pursue another target in January while the Brazilian recovers from injury.

How Ruben Neves and Ferland Mendy could affect Al-Hilal plans

Although no names have been quoted as a potential target for Al-Hilal, one player who could be targeted is Ferland Mendy, with Real Madrid looking to sell their out-of-favour left back.

The 28-year-old has made just four starts in La Liga this season and Real are believed to be willing to take a cut-price figure for Mendy in order to get him off their wage books.

Al-Hilal could also find themselves with another additional spot for a foreign player in January if Ruben Neves leaves the club amid reports linking him to Newcastle.

The Premier League will vote later this month on introducing a temporary ban on loaning players between clubs with the same owners 🗳️

It's been reported that Newcastle could target Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves in light of Sandro Tonali's long-term ban 👇 pic.twitter.com/k9ZVSSWh4J

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 9, 2023

The Portuguese international is a key figure for the club but is said to be unsettled after his €55m move from Wolves in the summer and would be keen on a return to the Premier League.

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However, Newcastle, who had been considering the 26-year-old as a loanee replacement for the suspended Sandro Tonali, could be prevented from making a move due to new Premier League regulations that could be in place for January.