Marcos Leonardo could transfer to Neom after Al-Hilal blocked his loan in São Paulo

Al-Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo may join Neom despite São Paulo failing to secure his loan, with his future expected to be decided by Wednesday (10).

Neom emerges as likely destination

Marcos Leonardo, one of the standout stories of this transfer window, could be loaned to Neom, according to Aawsat Sport. The Saudi football window closes on Wednesday (10), making the next hours critical for finalizing the striker’s future.

Currently, Leonardo is not registered by Al-Hilal for the Saudi Pro League and is not part of coach Simone Inzaghi’s domestic plans, although he may feature in the Asian Champions League, where squad rotations are limited.

São Paulo’s failed bid

São Paulo had targeted Marcos Leonardo as a key addition but could not meet Al-Hilal’s financial demands. Journalist Felipe Ruiz reports that the Saudi club requested around R$12 million to release the player for a loan before the end of the season.

Despite Leonardo’s willingness to reduce his salary and adapt to São Paulo’s budget, the club was unable to finalize the deal in the final hours of the Brazilian transfer window.

Al-Hilal’s strategic moves

Neom’s interest comes as part of Al-Hilal’s active transfer strategy. The club recently signed Lucho Rodríguez from Bahia, and coach Simone Inzaghi is evaluating how to optimize squad depth for multiple competitions.

Meanwhile, Saudi fans have also been lobbying for Brazilian talent, notably Vasco forward Rayan, though negotiations for the youngster have not advanced.