Neymar Accepts Significant Pay Cut to Return to Santos
Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. is ready to end his difficult stint at Al-Hilal and return to his boyhood club, Santos, in Brazil.
The 31-year-old forward has struggled with injuries since his high-profile move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, managing to appear in only seven matches for the Saudi Pro League side. In a bid to revive his career and return to his roots, Neymar is reportedly willing to take a substantial salary reduction to facilitate the move back to Santos.
There are two possible scenarios for Neymar's return – an outright contract termination with Al-Hilal, where his current deal runs for another six months, or a loan move to Brazil. Al-Hilal's head coach Jorge Jesus has already confirmed that Neymar will not be registered for the second half of the season, increasing the likelihood of his departure in the January transfer window.
A move to Santos would mark an emotional homecoming for Neymar, who began his professional career with the Brazilian giants before moving to Europe and making his mark with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. His return is expected to generate significant excitement among Santos fans, eager to see their prodigal son back at the Vila Belmiro.
Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, and an official announcement could be made in the coming weeks.
