According to sources, Neymar Jr., the superstar of Brazil and Al Hilal, is getting closer to rejoining his boyhood club, Santos, ESPN reported on Sunday.
ESPN was informed by sources that Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal is expected to be terminated; however, the specifics are still being worked out.
According to a message retrieved from Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Sunday, his return to Santos is imminent as a verbal agreement has been achieved.
“Formal steps to follow next week for the final formula of the deal from Al Hilal and contracts to be checked. The post stated, “Neymar has already agreed to the move.”
He is scheduled to travel to Brazil this week if the deal with Santos is finalised. He could play for Santos as early as February 5, which is his 33rd birthday.
In the summer of 2023, the most expensive football player in the world paid $97.6 million to join Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 32-year-old made just seven league and cup appearances and scored just one goal in an AFC Champions League group stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on October 3, 2023.
Neymar started his professional career with Santos in 2009, helping them win a Copa Libertadores title in 2011 after he scored in the second leg of the final, a 2-1 victory over Peñarol.
Neymar has made 128 appearances for Brazil on the international scene, scoring a Selecao record 79 goals while playing for the Brazil team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, which Brazil hosted.