Reports: Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia?

Free agent Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked once again with a move to Saudi Arabia with the player potentially receiving £173m for his services.

Ronaldo left Manchester United by mutual consent last week after a scathing TV interview about the club. Since then the player has been linked with a number of clubs, although his wage demands are seen as a barrier by many.

That’s not the case of Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, though. According to reports from Spanish outlet, Marca, Al Nassr want to pay the striker £172.9m per year. 

Obviously, no other club in Europe would be able to compete with that kind of money. It would also be a coup for the country of Saudi Arabia to sign one of the World Cup’s highest-profile players to their league as the tournament goes on in neighbouring Qatar, a country they have had a somewhat tense relationship with in recent years.

For now, the bookies say Ronaldo joining a Saudi club is the odds-on favourite but Chelsea, Newcastle United, Sporting, and MLS sides are also possibilities. 

Ronaldo has scored once so far during the World Cup tournament (twice if you want to generously include Bruno Fernandes’ goal against Uruguay) and still looks like he has plenty in the tank so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a formal proposal from Al Nassr, confirmed. 🚨🇸🇦 #Ronaldo

Almost €200m per season until 2025.

But… big part is sponsor deals, so it’s not clear yet if image rights can be agreed.

Nothing done/signed or decided.

Cristiano, focused on World Cup. pic.twitter.com/tVhgLhz92N

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 30, 2022