Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal sent letters of thanks to coach Ramon Diaz, his son and assistant Emiliano, Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo and Argentine midfielder Luciano Vietto, after their departure was confirmed as part of a comprehensive overhaul next season that may culminate in the addition of Lionel Messi.

Messi said goodbye to his club Paris Saint-Germain already, and the newspaper "Sport" Spanish to announce the most expensive deal in history to include the world champion on Tuesday, and raised speculation about the inclusion of compatriot winger Angel Di Maria.

According to the newspaper "Okaz" Saudi Arabia on Sunday, it is expected to arrive Messi to Riyadh within 48 hours before the official announcement of joining the crescent, but the newspaper did not address the financial value of the deal or the expected salary of the player.

The journalist reported that the Argentine star, crowned with his country the title of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, is in the process of signing his transfer contracts to Al Hilal within a few hours while in the French capital, Paris.

She confirmed the presence of a Saudi delegation currently in Paris and is scheduled to return to Riyadh soon with the legendary star of Barcelona, whose contract with the French league champions has just expired.

It is expected that Al Hilal will appoint a new coach before a camp in Austria next month in preparation for the new season, and Tite was former coach Brazil and Luis Enrique coach Spain and former Barcelona of the candidates, according to local media.

Messi in his last match with PSG on Saturday (Getty Images)

Restoration of the crescent before the arrival of Messi

Al-Hilal posted on Twitter an expressive picture of Ramon clapping in front of an honorary corridor of the blue team players and commented with the words: "Thank you Ramon and Emiliano for everything."

Diaz's contract with the former Asian champions expired at the end of this season, and the separation between the two parties had been expected for weeks when the club allowed the veteran coach to travel to Argentina, for the second time in the middle of the season, to support his family after a car accident that left one person dead and two injured.

Al Hilal were content to win the Saudi King's Cup this season after finishing third in the Pro League and losing the AFC Champions League final to Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, but achieved outstanding results in the Club World Cup when they lost the final 5-3 to Real Madrid last February.

During two spells with Al Hilal, Diaz won the league title twice, the Copa del Rey twice, and lost the Champions League final twice.

Although Ighalo is Al Hilal's top scorer in the league with 19 goals, surpassed only by Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah, Al Ittihad's top scorer (21) and Al Nasr striker Anderson Taliska (20), he faced criticism for his lack of effectiveness in major matches, especially in the Champions League, which prompted Al Hilal not to renew the contract of the former Manchester United striker.

Thanks @ighalojude 🦅
Wishing you good luck and success đź’™ #AlHilal pic.twitter.com/KgOJAU3kkx

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) June 1, 2023

Al Hilal thanked Ighalo via Twitter and Vietto, who was one of the most promising talents in Argentina and Spain, but his career has declined.

The Saudi newspaper "Al-Riyadiyya" predicted the departure of Malian striker Moussa Marega as well, raising speculation about making room in the attack for the expected arrival of Messi.

Thanks @LucianoVietto 🙏🏻
Wishing you all the best and success đź’™ #AlHilal pic.twitter.com/jBSRZAwot8

— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) June 1, 2023