Neymar could be rescued from Saudi hell with shock transfer that would see him earn same salary as Lionel Messi
NEYMAR could be offered a way out of Saudi Arabia by MLS side Chicago Fire, according to reports.
The 32-year-old is enduring a nightmare spell at Al-Hilal and his contract expires this summer.
Neymar has played just seven times for the club since his £77.6million move from PSG last year after injury issues, including an 11-month spell on the sidelines due to a cruciate ligament tear.
Neymar penned a whopping £138m-a-year deal that sees him earn £2.5m-a-week in Riyadh.
He would have to accept a huge pay-cut to end his Saudi disaster, but Chicago Fire are willing to give him £16m without bonuses per year, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
Neymar’s former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi earns that amount at David Beckham-owned Inter Miami.
Despite the Brazilian’s deal expiring at the end of the season, Al-Hilal supposedly want to keep hold of him.
The club have the option to trigger a one-year extension in his contract.
And there are plans for Neymar to be an ambassador for the 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup.
But things are not going well for him on the pitch and he is currently not able to play in the Saudi Pro League because he was not registered in the squad amid injury problems.
Manager Jorge Jesus confirmed he can only play in the Asian equivalent of the Champions League and claimed his not at the “level” expected.
The boss said: “Neymar will not be included in the squad for the championship.
“He can participate in the AFC Champions League, but the Saudi League is one of the best leagues in the world – all Al-Hilal players can play for any club in Europe.
“Neymar can no longer play at the level we are used to, things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.
“He is still under contract with Al-Hilal and he can decide his future.
“But it depends on the management. I don’t know anything about Neymar’s future.”
Should Neymar leave, Al-Hilal are seemingly keen on Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.