Transfers: Neymar heading back to boyhood club Santos

Neymar has confirmed his return to his first club Santos, saying he had wished the move "to come true for a long time".

With the official announcement expected on Friday, the 32-year-old Brazil international – still the world's most expensive footballer after his €222m move to Paris St Germain in 2017 – said he could not "hold it until tomorrow".

In a video posted to his 64 million followers on X, Neymar said: "Hey guys, feels like I’m going back in time.

"I’m here with my friends and family and they helped me write a few things.

"I just can’t hold it until tomorrow. My family and my friends already know my decision. I’ll sign the contract with Santos Futebol Clube.

"I want to thank my fans from all over the world, wishing this moment to come true for a long time.

"It’s been nearly 12 years since I left…and it seems like it was yesterday.

"My feelings for the club and fans have never changed."

Neymar made his Santos debut in March 2009 at the age of 17 and scored 136 goals in 225 games before joining Barcelona in 2013.

He made 186 appearances across four seasons in Spain, winning two La Liga titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup before his world-record move to PSG.

Neymar won five league titles in Paris prior to his move to Saudi Arabia, when he joined Al-Hilal in August 2023.

"I lived wonderful moments in Riyadh," said Neymar, three days after Al-Hilal had announced his contract there had been terminated by mutual consent.

"But I suffered a very serious injury that prevented me returning the favour the way I’d like to.

"Now I need to play again. Only a club like Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years.

"I hope you’re all with me on this next step of my life. I’m thankful for all your support even in my most difficult moments.

"There were a lot of them but playing football, doing what I most love in life, is what makes me happy."

Republic of Ireland international Festy Ebosele (above) has returned to Udinese after his loan spell at Championship side Watford was cut short.

The Wexford man joined the Hornets last August for what was supposed to be a season-long stint.

However the 22-year-old wing-back has gone back to Italy amid talk of a potential transfer to Turkish Super Lig outfit Istanul Basaksehir, who ended St Patrick's Athletic's Conference League journey in the summer when they prevailed in a two-legged play-off.

Basaksehir subsequently failed to make it to the knockout stages - unlike Shamrock Rovers - as they finished 26th in the 36-team league.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is determined to keep Ollie Watkins at the club this month amid offers from Arsenal but admits Jhon Duran's potential exit is a good deal.

Both of Villa's strikers are subject to interest in the January transfer window, with their Premier League rivals having a reported £60m (€71m) bid for Watkins rejected while Duran is set to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.

Just hours after news of the Gunners' bid for Watkins broke, he scored for Villa in their 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic which booked a last-16 spot.

Duran (above) was an unused substitute, ahead of a reported €77m move to Al Nassr, and was seen saying goodbye to fans at the end of the match.

Emery was defiant in his stance on Watkins' future, insisting he was "our striker" and that they would be "very demanding" with a price tag if they were to sell him.

Asked if he could say for certain Watkins would not be sold, the Spaniard said: "I don't want (him to leave).

"It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

"Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker."

Duran was subject to a £57m bid from West Ham last week but now looks set to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, just two months after signing a new deal at Villa Park.

Villa midfielder Emi Buendia has joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the rest of the season after signing a contract extension at Villa Park.

The 28-year-old has not started a match in the Premier League for Emery's side this season but has appeared 12 times from the bench.

Emery said he wanted the Colombian to stay at the club but that it represents a good deal, with the player also wanting to move on.

"Our players are interesting other clubs and as well (they are) paying good money for us," he added.

Newcastle wide-man Miguel Almiron has returned to MLS side Atlanta United after six years in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old Paraguay international, who arrived at St James' Park in a £21m switch from Atlanta in January 2019, has headed back across the Atlantic in an undisclosed deal which it is understood could eventually amount to £11m, subject to registration.

Almiron leaves Tyneside having made 223 appearances and scored 30 goals, perhaps the most notable of them the opener in a 4-1 Champions League demolition of Paris St Germain last season.

Almiron was the Magpies’ record signing – taking over from Michael Owen – when he was drafted in by Rafael Benitez. However, it took him 27 appearances to score his first goal for the club.

He became an increasingly peripheral figure as the club’s Saudi-backed owners invested heavily in new recruits following their takeover in October 2021.

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