PSG, Saudi soccer club Al-Hilal agree to $98M Neymar Jr. transfer

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Saudi soccer club Al-Hilal agreed to send $98 million in transfer fees to Paris Saint-German to acquire star striker Neymar Jr.

Sources told ESPN, CBS and Sky Sports about the agreement Monday. Those reports said Neymar will have a physical Monday before joining the club on a two-year contract.

Neymar, 31, joined PSG from Spanish La Liga power Barcelona in 2017. He started his senior career in 2009 at Brazilian club Santos.

Neymar made 173 appearances during his tenure at PSG. He helped the French club win five Ligue 1 titles, but often battled injuries. He scored 118 goals and logged 77 assists at PSG.

Neymar totaled 105 goals and 76 assists in 186 appearances at Barcelona. He scored 77 times in 124 international appearances for Brazil.

Neymar helped the Brazilians win the 2016 Summer Games and aided their second-place finish at the 2021 World Cup.

Al-Hilal attempted to lure French striker Kylian Mbappe, Neymar's PSG teammate, with a $332 million bid last month. The Roshn Saudi League club also tried to sign Lionel Messi before the former PSG striker joined Inter Miami.

Al-Hilal finished third, behind first-place Al-Ittihad and second-place Al-Nassr in the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League standings.

Roshn, a real estate division of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, signed a sponsorship deal with the Saudi Pro League last August.

The investment fund, which is trying to merge its controversial LIV Golf Series with the PGA Tour to form a new golf venture, also owns Al-Hilal and fellow Roshn Saudi League clubs Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and N'Golo Kante are among the other former European league stars to join PIF-operated teams in the Roshn Saudi League over the last year.

Al-Hilal will face Abha in their Roshn Saudi League season opener at 11 a.m. EDT Monday in Abha, Saudi Arabia.