Neymar has reportedly given the “green light” to make a dream return to Santos as the Brazilian remains in talks with Al-Hilal over a January exit.
According to the Brazilian outlet UOL, Neymar remains eager to rejoin Santos after suffering the latest injury setback that is set to sideline him for the next four to six weeks.
If the forward terminates his contract with Al-Hilal early, Santos is committed to reuniting with Neymar within the next two months.
However, if he decides to fulfill his current agreement, a return would be more likely to materialize in mid-2025.
Though Neymar stands to sacrifice a significant portion of his earnings by leaving Saudi Arabia, the prospect of playing in front of a devoted fanbase and preparing for the next World Cup could outweigh the financial loss.
However, the club is considering an unconventional approach to minimize the financial offset.
They reportedly plan to offer Neymar a base salary at the highest level they can manage, supplemented by a range of incentives which will include a share in the revenue from shirt sales, commercial partnerships, and sponsorship deals.
An essential factor has been the involvement of Blaze, Santos’ main sponsor, with whom Neymar has an existing partnership.
The striker’s father, Neymar Sr., brokered this sponsorship, maintaining close ties with the Santos board and driving discussions for a contract renewal beyond April.
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As Santos works to create a welcoming environment for Neymar, they are exploring multiple moves in the transfer market to reinforce their squad.
Part of this strategy includes bringing in players who share a personal bond with Neymar, an aspect the board considers crucial for his comfort and morale.
The club has already taken steps toward signing Serginho, a player Neymar personally recommended.
Apart from Serginho, Paulo Henrique Ganso of Fluminense, Gabigol of Flamengo, Leo Baptistão of Almería, and Danilo of Juventus could be potentially signed.
Moreover, they aim to bring on board Argentine manager Jorge Sampaoli by 2025.
Neymar is reportedly intrigued by the idea of working with Sampaoli, whom he mentioned to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) after the 2022 World Cup.
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However, the sentiment at Santos is overwhelmingly positive, with the club treating Neymar’s return as an almost inevitable development.
Whether the Brazilian star reappears in Santos colours this January or waits until mid-2025, the anticipation among fans and the club’s administration is palpable.
Also, they are keeping no stone unturned to ensure that Neymar’s homecoming will be as triumphant and transformative as possible.
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