- Neymar is set to return to Santos, with a verbal agreement already reached between the parties
- Formal steps, including contract finalization with Al-Hilal, are expected to take place next week
- The 32-year-old forward will join Santos as a free agent, with a six-month contract and an option to extend for a year
- Neymar is reportedly giving up $65 million to terminate his deal with Al-Hilal
- He rejected an offer from Chicago Fire, prioritizing a return to Santos to revive his career and rejoin the Brazil national team
Key Takeaways:
Neymar is on the verge of rejoining Santos, his boyhood club, with a verbal agreement already in place. According to Fabrizio Romano, the formalities of the deal are expected to be finalized next week, including the contract termination process with Al-Hilal and final approval of the terms. Neymar has already given his consent to the move.
🚨🇧🇷 BREAKING: Neymar’s return to Santos now imminent as verbal agreement has been reached.
Formal steps to follow next week for final formula of the deal from Al Hilal and contracts to be checked.
Neymar already said yes to the move…
…here we go, soon. 🔙🏡 pic.twitter.com/5IQIrLXxpj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2025
The 32-year-old forward will return to Santos as a free agent, signing a six-month contract with an option to extend it by an additional year. Reports suggest that Neymar will forgo nearly $65 million in wages to facilitate his departure from Al-Hilal, where he has struggled with injuries since joining in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain. This season, he has played just 42 minutes, with Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus expressing skepticism about Neymar’s ability to reach his former level of performance.
Neymar also received an offer from MLS club Chicago Fire but chose to return to Santos, where he hopes to revive his career and reclaim a spot in Brazil’s national team. If no unforeseen obstacles arise, the Brazilian star is expected to complete his move in the coming days.