Neymar's most likely Saudi Pro League destinations

Neymar will be allowed to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer
Neymar will be allowed to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
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Brazilian superstar Neymar has been enjoying plenty of extra-curricular activities following the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, and the PSG playmaker is set to be a hot topic of transfer discussion in the coming weeks.

Despite once again notching double-digit Ligue 1 goals and assists in just 20 appearances, 2022/23 was another campaign of indifference for Neymar as PSG traditionally failed in their quest to win the Champions League, while Brazil fell in the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old remains a majestic performer whose extra-terrestrial talent would allow him to excel in every single starting XI the planet has to offer. However, the emergence of the Saudi Pro League has opened up a new possibility for Neymar this summer should he opt against remaining in Europe.

PSG are said to be keen on parting ways with the Brazilian, and he could become Saudi Arabia's next major coup following the additions of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Here are the Saudi clubs most likely to sign Neymar this summer.


1. Al-Hilal

PSG vs Clermont Foot - French Ligue 1
Lionel Messi rejected a move to Al-Hilal / Anadolu Agency/GettyImages

Al-Hilal, who currently boast the likes of Odion Ighalo and Moussa Marega, are the front-runners for Neymar's signature.

The Saudi club have turned to the 31-year-old Brazilian following Lionel Messi's rejection, and they're keen to return to the top of the Pro League after they were usurped by Al-Ittihad as champions.

The latest reports suggest Al-Hilal would be willing to pay around £40m to bring Neymar to the Middle East and offer the player a salary close to Cristiano Ronaldo's £173m.


READ MORE ON THE PLAYERS LINKED TO SAUDI ARABIA & THE MONEY ON OFFER

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2. Al-Ittihad

Al Ittihad v Al Nassr - Saudi Pro League
Al-Ittihad ended the season as champions / Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/GettyImages

Current champions Al-Ittihad are one of four teams owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), who also own Newcastle, and we've listed these four teams as the most likely to sign Neymar.

Although, Al-Hilal are the only club thus far to show a serious interest in the Brazilian star.

Al-Ittihad have already made a huge splash by signing Karim Benzema to a monster deal, and they're set to add N'Golo Kante to their midfield after agreeing a two-year deal with the Frenchman.

The addition of Neymar would be nothing short of frightening for the rest of the division.


3. Al-Nassr

FBL-KSA-NASSR-RAED
Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr in 2022 / -/GettyImages

Al-Nassr set the big-spending precedent encouraged by the Saudi government when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo to a record-breaking deal at the end of 2022.

The Portuguese all-time great teamed up with Brazilian Anderson Talisca, who ended the season as the second-highest scorer in the league, but he failed to propel Al-Nassr to their first league title since 2018/19.

The Saudi club was linked with Neymar after they made their significant move for Ronaldo, but such talk has gone quiet in recent months with Al-Hilal leading the way.


4. Al-Ahli

Riyad Mahrez
Al-Ahli have their eyes on a move for Riyad Mahrez / Michael Regan/GettyImages

The fourth Saudi club owned by PIF, Al-Ahli will return to the Saudi Pro League next season after spending just a year in the second tier.

They won the Division 1 title by four points, and what better way to celebrate promotion than by signing one of the sport's most recognisable stars?

However, instead of Neymar, Al-Ahli reportedly have their eyes on a move for Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

The newly-promoted club are set to offer the Algeria international a generous pay packet after he was an unused substitute in City's Champions League final triumph which secured them the treble.


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