Brazil superstar Neymar is closing in on a return to his former club Santos, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Neymar remains on the roster of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but the team’s manager Jorge Jesus said earlier in January that the Brazilian attacker can “no longer play at the level we are used to,” and wasn’t registered to play in the Saudi Pro League, leaving Neymar eligible to play only in the Asian Champions League.
Sources tell ESPN that Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal likely will be terminated, but the final details are still being negotiated.
The two sides are expected to meet early this week with the hope of reaching an agreement. If that occurs, Neymar is set to sign a six-month contract, which will have an option to be extended an additional year, with Santos.
If the deal with Santos is completed, Neymar is set to travel to Brazil this week, and could play for Santos as soon as Feb. 5.
By terminating his Al Hilal contract, which ran through this summer, Neymar would walk away from about $65 million.
Sources told ESPN he could make up at least some of the shortfall by having himself and his father, Neymar Santos Sr., become part of an investment fund that includes shares in Santos.
Neymar, 32, endured a difficult spell with Al Hilal after joining the Saudi Arabian club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for a fee of $97.6 million.
The former Barcelona star suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty shortly after joining Al Hilal. He returned to the field last October, but a hamstring injury kept him from making more of a contribution.
He made just seven league and cup appearances with just one goal scored in an AFC Champions League group stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on Oct. 3, 2023.
