Brazilian forward Neymar is set to make a move to Saudi Arabia, with Al Hilal, a Pro League side, having reached a two-year agreement with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as reported by Saudi state media on Monday.
Although there has been no immediate comment from PSG, which is owned by Qatar Sports Investments, French newspaper L'Equipe indicated that the deal could yield Neymar, who is 31 years old, a sum of 160 million euros ($175 million).
The transfer fee is reported to be around 90 million euros, with additional payments contingent on certain conditions and the completion of a medical examination.
Sources close to the situation informed Reuters that Neymar underwent a medical evaluation in Paris on Monday, and he is anticipated to arrive in Riyadh on Wednesday, where he will be introduced to fans at the King Fahd Stadium.
Al Hilal, managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, is scheduled to play Al Fayha on Saturday, with Neymar expected to wear the number 10 shirt.
Neymar, who joined PSG in 2017 from Barcelona for a then-world record transfer fee of 222 million euros ($243 million), was absent from PSG's league opener against Lorient on Saturday due to a viral infection.
Although he was under contract with PSG until 2025 and had achieved significant success, including five Ligue 1 titles, Neymar is no longer considered a pivotal player in coach Luis Enrique's current squad.
Multiple sources said he had hoped to return to Barcelona on a loan agreement but the Spanish side's financial issues had made that unaffordable.
Al Hilal had tried to sign PSG's France international Kylian Mbappe, who was reinstated into the Paris club's first team on Sunday.
The Saudi side were also reportedly interested in Argentinian Lionel Messi who opted to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.
The most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, Al Hilal have won 66 trophies and hold the record for league and Asian Champions League titles, with 18 and four of them respectively.
Strengthening the squad is a priority for the Riyadh-based club, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced in June an investment and privatisation project for sports clubs involving league champions Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal.
The Saudi Pro League season kicked off on Friday after spending close to half a billion dollars luring a host of top players and coaches from European powerhouses.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last season soon after the World Cup in a deal which made him the highest-paid athlete on the planet, while Al Ittihad signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.
Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino have all signed for Al Ahli.
(With Reuters inputs)
