Neymar has agreed to leave Paris Saint-Germain for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a move worth up to £86m, bringing to an end his colourful six-year stay in the French capital.
Subject to a successful medical the Brazilian will sign a two-year deal with the Riyadh-based side and become the most high-profile player to have joined the Saudi Pro League during its summer of extravagant transfer spending. The move marks a shift in dynamic for PSG, who also allowed Lionel Messi to depart for Inter Miami at the end of last season.
Neymar and PSG agreed last week he could leave although his widely reported preference, like Messi several weeks ago, was on returning to their former club Barcelona.
Barcelona’s troubled finances make such deals tough and Messi instead chose Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami in June.
PIF is chaired by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose ambitions in global sports have become a signature policy.