Al-Nassr are reportedly plotting to sign Sergio Ramos as a free agent this summer following their sensational transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ramos, 36, is Spain’s most capped player of all time with 180 appearances, but none have come since early 2021 due to repeated fitness setbacks. Ramos has not featured for his country since leaving Real Madrid to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in the summer of 2021 – including missing out on this year’s World Cup.
The talismanic central defender endured a difficult 12 months of injury niggles, coinciding with dropping out of the Spanish squad and struggling for regular football. However, he had been enjoying a resurgence of form and fortune in the French capital this campaign – but it was not enough for him to be included in Spain’s World Cup squad.
In October, Ramos became the first PSG player to go undefeated through their first 30 appearances, breaking the long-standing record held by Rai, the club's Brazilian legend, who went 29 games without losing.
Ramos suffered his first PSG defeat in 35 games (27 wins and seven draws from the opening 34) against Lens in the New Year’s Day defeat, with L’Equipe highly critical of his performance – who awarded him a 3/10 rating – the lowest on the pitch.
The French media outlet reflected: ‘Ramos was in trouble in all the opposing transitions. He clearly missed Lens' second goal and was passive in the third, weighed down by Fabian Ruiz's loss of the ball. He did not shine in the climbs or in the construction of the game’.
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The damning analysis outlined Ramos' 'lack of speed' and left a question mark for the future: ‘His performance against Lens questions his ability to be decisive in top-level matches. Given (Pascal) Kimpembe's injury, there are few solutions. Perhaps one more central defender wouldn't have hurt’.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier fumed after the game: "It's not the defeat that bothers me, but the way we conceded the goals, especially the first one. We knew they were very strong in transition, but we didn't respect our positions and we conceded the second. It's the first time I've seen my team so disorganised."
The veteran defender has also made a significant difference in terms of leadership within the club’s squad. Ramos had to step-in and break up the two feuding superstar forwards of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the dressing room following a Ligue 1 clash against Montpellier in August. Mbappe and Neymar fell out over the order of penalty takers in the match as the fractious relationship between the two came to light.
Ramos will celebrate his 37 th birthday in March and many had feared his time at the top level could not be revived due to multiple injury setbacks over the past two seasons. However, after steering clear of fitness issues this season – a renewal may be possible.
A report in Mundo Deportivo claims that talks have not yet been opened between the club and the player regarding a potential contract extension with L’Equipe claiming that any renewal depends on his performance level. Ramos is out of contract at the Parc des Princes in June, and is theoretically now free to speak to other clubs due to his contractual situation.
Marca claim that Al-Nassr are now planning to launch a move for Ramos so that he follows the arrival of his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo. It is claimed that the Saudi club view the defender as a central pillar for potential growth of football in the country and their international brand.
