0
0
Neymar was reported to be in negotiations on Sunday to potentially join the ranks of football superstars making a move to Saudi Arabia. This news comes at a time when Paris Saint-Germain has recently welcomed Kylian Mbappe back into their fold, rekindling his involvement with the French champions after a period on the sidelines.
A reliable insider within PSG has informed AFP that Neymar, 31 years old, is no longer considered a part of the club’s or manager’s future plans. This development has sparked immediate speculation connecting the Brazilian star to Al-Hilal in the Gulf region.
According to a separate source based in Saudi Arabia, active and direct negotiations are currently underway between Neymar’s representatives and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
“If an agreement is reached within the upcoming hours, we will swiftly initiate discussions with PSG. Should a deal be finalized, Neymar will be representing Al-Hilal,” stated the source.
Neymar, who made a groundbreaking transfer from Barcelona to PSG for an astounding 220 million euros ($241 million) in 2017, is now reportedly being pursued by Al-Hilal with an offer potentially in the vicinity of $80 million, as per certain media outlets on Sunday.
Last month, Al-Hilal submitted a staggering 300-million-euro bid for Mbappe. However, news emerged that the striker declined to engage in discussions with officials from the team.
In early March, Neymar underwent a surgical procedure on his right ankle, and he recently made a triumphant return to join PSG during their pre-season tour of Asia.
Neymar’s tenure at PSG has been marred by a series of unfortunate injuries.
While contributing to the club’s journey to the 2020 Champions League final, he has frequently found himself on the sidelines during crucial matches.
Should Neymar ultimately decide to make a move to Saudi Arabia, he will become part of an expanding roster of elite players enticed to the oil-rich nation, a trend that gained momentum after Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr in January.
Throughout history, Al-Hilal has consistently maintained its status as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier clubs, clinching the Asian Champions League title on four notable occasions.
They are under the guidance of Portugal’s Jorge Jesus, who is leading the team for his second term at the club. The squad proudly features four international players, all of whom were recently enticed from Europe: Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Neymar’s fellow Brazilian compatriot, Malcom.
Neymar’s much-anticipated departure from PSG would come after Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami in the United States.
Illustrating the increasing influence of Saudi involvement in global football, reports emerged on Sunday that Roberto Mancini is being considered as the potential manager for the Saudi national team. This follows his surprising resignation from his position as head coach of the European champions, Italy.
The lead-up to the new Ligue 1 season has been tumultuous for reigning champions PSG. Both Mbappe and Neymar were omitted from new coach Luis Enrique’s lineup, resulting in a lackluster goalless draw against Lorient on Saturday.
Following weeks of absence due to an ongoing contract dispute, Mbappe observed the match from the stands at Parc des Princes.
However, PSG announced on Sunday that their prized asset is now back in the fold, at least for the time being.
“In the aftermath of constructive and positive discussions between Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe before the PSG-Lorient match, the player has been reintegrated into first-team training as of this morning,” stated PSG.
After a summer of dynamic changes at the Parc des Princes marked by the influx of new arrivals, uncertainties surrounding Neymar’s future, and Messi’s departure, it is the Mbappe standoff that has taken center stage in the news.
The captain of the French national team has declined to commit to an extension of his contract with PSG, indicating that he could potentially leave on a free transfer next year. Real Madrid has consistently emerged as his favored choice for a new club.
Owned by Qatar, PSG is keen on offloading him now to secure a substantial transfer fee. Mbappe, originally acquired for 180 million euros from Monaco in 2017, represents a valuable asset for the club’s financial prospects.
“The stance is unequivocal. If Kylian intends to remain, he must ink a fresh contract. Allowing the current world’s finest player to depart without compensation is simply not feasible,” emphasized PSG’s president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, in the previous month.
Mbappe’s involvement with the first-team training sessions had been restricted, featuring in only one out of PSG’s five preparatory matches. Moreover, he wasn’t included in the squad for the pre-season tour spanning Japan and South Korea.
During the fixture against Lorient, Mbappe was seated alongside his fellow 2018 World Cup champion Ousmane Dembele, who recently completed his transfer from Barcelona. The match saw Luis Enrique fielding debuts for six players.
