As per a report Marca, Paris Saint Germain is allegedly gearing up for a major overhaul of their squad, which may involve the departure of some of their superstar players during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report suggests that PSG is willing to let go of Sergio Ramos, Neymar, and Lionel Messi, the latter of whom won the 2022 World Cup, with Saudi Arabia being a potential destination for all three players.
The rumors about the possible departures of these players have been circulating following PSG’s disappointing season, during which they failed to make an impact in Europe, being knocked out of the Champions League Last 16 by Bayern Munich, despite leading Ligue 1 by seven points over Marseille.
According to the Spanish paper’s report, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos, who are both out of contract this summer, are expected to leave PSG, while Neymar, whose contract runs until 2025, may also be allowed to leave, with PSG said to be open to offers for the 31-year-old Brazilian.
If Saudi Arabia’s Pro League is a viable option, Messi could face off against Cristiano Ronaldo in a remarkable revival of their long-standing rivalry, as both are considered to be among the best players to have ever played the game.
Reports suggest that Al Hilal, a rival of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, is interested in acquiring Messi’s services, but they may also pursue Neymar if they are unable to persuade the Argentine to move to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Al Nassr appears to be pursuing Ramos aggressively, and discussions for a potential reunion with his former Real Madrid teammate are believed to be already underway.
If these potential deals were to materialize, it would be a significant boost for football in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in football infrastructure amid allegations of sport-swashing. The country has already hosted the Super Cup and Club World Cup and is said to be interested in hosting the 2030 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr has already attracted significant attention to the Saudi Arabian league, following his transfer from Manchester United after the 2022 World Cup. The 38-year-old Portuguese striker has already scored nine goals in eight games, helping Al Nassr in their fight for the league title.
They currently sit second in the table, only one point behind the leaders, Al Ittihad.