Neymar is closing in on a return to his boyhood club Santos, according to reports.
It appears the Brazilian will leave Al-Hilal after the club's manager claimed he was no longer fit to play at the top level.
The superstar, now 32, joined the Saudi squad in the summer of 2023 in a £78million deal from PSG but has been limited to just seven appearances.
He is currently recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in November in just his second game back following a year-long ruling after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.
It has been confirmed that Neymar will not be registered for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season and Santos have offered him a way out, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist posted on X: 'Neymar Jr. is set to return to Santos as the Brazilian club has now submitted a formal loan proposal!
'Santos are waiting for the green light from Al Hilal, the timing depends on the Saudi club. Santos, way ahead of Chicago Fire in Ney race.”
Neymar will become a free agent at the end of the season and would undoubtedly receive a hero's welcome if he returns to Santos.
The 32-year-old rose through the ranks at the Brazilian side before scoring 107 goals in 177 games, establishing himself as one of the most coveted players in world football.
Reports have linked him with a move to MLS, possibly as soon as this month.
“When I created this team it was with Mitrovic and Neymar, before he got this injury that kept him out of the league for 14 to 15 months,” his manager Jorge Jesus said last week.
'Unfortunately things have become difficult for him. He is still under contract and it may be up to him to decide his future. It depends on the club, on the administration.
'All I know is that Neymar is not registered. The counter is open until January 31. So I'm not going to speculate about things I don't know.'
Neymar has scored just one goal in seven games since moving to the Middle East and was not registered for the first half of the Saudi Pro League campaign.
The former Barcelona man, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals, holds no grudge against Jesus but admitted he is 'very honest'.
“If you play badly, he will say it to your face,” Neymar told Romario TV. 'As a coach he is really good. He manages the team very well.'
According to recent data from French outfit Foot Mercato, Neymar is believed to have been paid a whopping £84.6million for the whole of 2024, despite his injury woes.
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