Neymar closing on deal to leave PSG, join Saudi Professional League

The Saudi Professional League is closing in on another major addition to its league.

Neymar is reportedly nearing a deal to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join the Saudi league, according to ESPN on Sunday afternoon. The deal will reportedly pay him the equivalent of $88M per year on a two-year deal with Al-Hilal. 

It is not yet known how much Al-Hilal will have to pay on a transfer fee to PSG, but the number figures to be substantial. When Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona six years ago the fee was over $200M. PSG and Al-Hilal reaching an agreement will be the final piece of that puzzle.

Neymar did not play in PSG season opening draw due to what the team called a viral infection. It is possible that Neymar was, in fact, sick, but given the reports of a deal with the Saudi league, it seems that may have had more to do with his absence.

Neymar, 31, appeared in 112 games with PSG and scored 82 goals in that time.

His expected departure to the Saudi league would be another major move as Saudi Arabia continues to dump massive amounts of money into professional sports. That started with the LIV golf league and has continued with the LIV-PGA merger.

The Saudi Professional League has attempted to make major investments in international soccer stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo.