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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

'Mostly a lie' - Al-Nassr president comments on mega-money Cristiano Ronaldo transfer

Al-Nassr president Musli Al-Muammar is remaining tight-lipped about the possibility of taking Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.

The 37-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Middle East following his controversial exit from Manchester United in November. The Red Devils confirmed that Ronaldo had left the club by mutual consent after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where Ronaldo hit out at the Glazers and Erik ten Hag.

It was the final straw for United, who decided to part ways with the veteran forward, 15 months after re-joining the club from Juventus in August 2021. Since that exit, Ronaldo's options have steadily decreased, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid both ruling themselves out of signing him and elite European options seemingly few and far between.

One of the only offers he has received since his departure from Old Trafford has come from Al-Nassr, with CBS Sports reporting that the Saudi side have scheduled a medical for Ronaldo ahead of what Mirror Football understands, could be a contract eventually worth in excess of £1bn, given its commercial commitments amid the Saudi push to host the 2030 World Cup.

However, president Al-Muammar didn't give much away when asked about potential signing Ronaldo in what would be a record-breaking transfer.

"Ronaldo is not right and most of what has been written and said in the media is a lie", Al-Muammar told reporters following Al-Nassr's 2-2 draw with rivals Al-Hilal.

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United last month (Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Al-Nassr are understood to be highly optimistic that they can complete the startling move, having already booked accommodation for Ronaldo and his advisors. The Saudi giants are hopeful of announcing Ronaldo's arrival in time for the start of the January transfer window.

Current manager Rudi Garcia has already hailed the superstar attacker and insisted he would love to work with him.

"I can't say anything about Cristiano because otherwise, it would immediately appear in the headlines: 'Garcia: about Ronaldo'", he told AS a fortnight ago. "What I see is that it has been a soap opera and it has been a very important promotion for Al Nassr."

Another supposed interested party in Ronaldo's services is the ex-Atletico Madrid and PSG transfer chief Antero Henrique, head of the Qatar Stars League. Henrique is said to have gone straight to Ronaldo to enquire over a possible transfer to the gulf nation following Portugal's exit from the World Cup earlier this month.

Chelsea chief Todd Boehly enquired about Ronaldo during the summer but ran into opposition from former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. It's understood the Blues aren't interested in bringing Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge next month however.

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