Neymar discussing possible transfer with three MLS clubs

Brazilian superstar and Al Hilal striker Neymar is in preliminary talks with three MLS clubs, including Chicago Fire FC, over a proposed move, sources told ESPN.

A source said Inter Miami are not currently among the teams looking to sign Neymar, with new Herrons manager Javier Mascherano recently saying adding the Brazilian to Miami’s roster would be “impossible” given the restrictions currently in place by MLS. He said it would be “impossible.” .

However, sources at ESPN in Brazil have tempered expectations of Neymar’s move to MLS. The source also added that if he ends up playing in the United States, he still hopes to sign former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez from South Florida.

The Fire declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.

Neymar, 32, has endured difficult times with Al Hilal since moving to the Saudi Arabian club from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 for a fee of $97.6 million. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on national team duty shortly after joining Al Hilal.

Neymar returned in October, but a hamstring injury has prevented him from contributing much this season. In total, he made only seven appearances in league and cup competitions, scoring one goal in the AFC Champions League group stage match against Nassaji Mazandaran on 3 October 2023.

Even without Neymar, Al Hilal won the Saudi Pro League last season.

The former Barcelona star’s contract runs until June 2025, meaning he can begin negotiating a new contract with another team. Neymar remains one of the biggest names in sport thanks to his time at Barca between 2013 and 2017, where he played alongside Messi and Suarez.

During his time at the Catalan club, he was part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League, two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey titles. He later moved to PSG in 2017 and won the Ligue 1 title five times, the French Cup three times, and the League Cup twice.

Neymar began his professional career with Santos in 2009 and scored in the second leg of the 2011 Copa Libertadores final, beating Peñarol 2-1 to win the title.

On the international stage, Neymar scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for the Brazilian national team. He was a member of the gold medal-winning Brazilian team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, but injuries have prevented him from playing regularly in recent years.