Chicago Fire are in discussions over a potential move to bring Brazilian striker Neymar to Major League Soccer (MLS).
The 32-year-old’s contract with Al-Hilal expires this summer after two seasons in the Saudi Pro League.
While the Eastern Conference club has the financial capacity to secure the deal, negotiations with the Pro League and Neymar’s representatives remain ongoing.
However, sources have told BBC Sport that the transfer is far from finalized and poses significant complexities.
Neymar is not expected to feature in the second half of the Saudi season, leaving the decision on his next destination up to him.
The MLS transfer window runs from January 31 to April 23, and Chicago Fire holds Neymar on their Discovery List, granting them exclusive rights to negotiate with him within the league.
Neymar joined Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for a league-record £77 million but has since made just seven appearances, scoring one goal.
His season was cut short by a cruciate knee ligament injury in October 2023, sidelining him for a year.
If the move materializes, Neymar would join former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in the MLS, both currently with Inter Miami.
Chicago Fire, however, finished last in the Eastern Conference last season, while Inter Miami claimed the top spot.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal leads the Saudi Pro League on goal difference, with players like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, and João Cancelo among their ranks, following a commanding 9-0 win over Al-Fateh.
What next for Neymar?
Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus has confirmed Neymar will not be registered for the league, restricting him to only Asian Champions League games for the rest of the season.
He was not included in the squad for the first half of the campaign and his time in Saudi now appears over.
It leaves Neymar, who won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona, and five Ligue 1 crowns with PSG, at a crossroads in his career.
The high-profile move to Saudi has been a disaster for the 128-capped Brazil striker, who is also the country’s record 79-goal top scorer.
Jesus said: “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 it may be up to him to decide his future.
“It depends on the administration. I don’t know anything about Neymar’s future. We have a place available on the list, reserved for a player born in 2003 or later.”