Deco Explains Why Barcelona Failed to Re Sign Neymar After Star Joins Al Hilal

• Deco has blamed Barcelona’s finances for their failure to sign Brazil superstar, Neymar
• Neymar signed for Al-Hilal after leaving Paris Saint-Germain after six years
• He spent four seasons at Barcelona before leaving in 2017 for a world-record fee

Deco has revealed that Barcelona could not compete financially with Al-Hilal for the signature of Brazil superstar Neymar after Paris Saint-Germain put the player up for sale.

The 31-year-old joined the Saudi Pro League club on a two-year deal despite initially voicing his interest in returning to Barcelona, six years after leaving the Catalan club for PSG.

According to Football Espana, Deco, who was recently appointed as Barcelona’s Sporting Director, revealed that the Catalans did not have the finances to re-sign Neymar despite being the star’s preferred destination.

“Everyone knows that at this time, unfortunately, our financial situation meant that it was impossible to make an offer like that.”

5 players that turned down mega offers from Saudi clubs including Mbappe

Football

Aside from Neymar’s mega salary, which surpasses €150m, Al-Hilal paid a whopping transfer fee of €90m plus €50m in potential add-ons to PSG to sign the former Barcelona player on a two-year deal.

Neymar becomes second highest-paid

Meanwhile, following his move to Al-Hilal, Daily Post reports that Neymar Jr. has become the second highest-earner in the Saudi Arabia Pro League behind Al-Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 31-year-old ended his turbulent stint at Paris Saint-Germain this summer by leaving for the Middle East, where he will earn a staggering £276 million during a two-year contract.

Neymar has displaced former Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who was previously second on the list, and other superstars like Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and Jordan Henderson, who are also top earners in Saudi Arabia.

Neymar makes Ronaldo admission

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that after days of speculation, Neymar finally completed his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on a two-year deal. Al-Hilal paid a fee said to be worth €90 million for the Brazilian.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe joined PSG because of Neymar, agent brags

Football

The former Barcelona man has credited Cristiano Ronaldo for leading the way to Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese legend was the first big football star to move to Saudi Arabia in December.

Since the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend joined Al-Nassr, top football stars from European clubs have been flocking to the Middle Eastern country, and Neymar is another high-profile footballer to sign with a Saudi Pro League club.