Saudi Arabia Have Not Given Up On Their Cristiano Ronaldo Pursuit As Another Bid Could Be Launched In January
Sep 13, 2022 at 2:18 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo could receive another bid from a Saudi Arabia club in the winter transfer market, according to The Sun. The English outlet reports clubs from the middle-east nation have not yet given up on their pursuit of the Portuguese icon and that want to bring him to the country. Ronaldo had already rejected a staggering package from Saudi side Al-Hilal which consisted a two-year deal on £2million-per-week wages amounting up to £211 million with add-ons.
Saudi’s wish to land Ronaldo was ignited when the 37-year-old decided to quit Manchester United this summer. Lack of Champions League football and a mediocre transfer business by the club were among many reasons he wanted to join a club which would have ensured his continuation in the elite European competition. Many top European clubs had initially circled around Cristiano, only for rejecting his transfer later.
Cristiano Ronaldo likely to pursue a move to ‘Champions League club’ in January
Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes worked till the last minute of the summer transfer window to facilitate a move to a club featuring in this year’s Champions League. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and PSG all were approached by Mendes only to face rejection for his client.
As a result, ambitious clubs in Sporting Lisbon and Saudi’s Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr tried their luck as they faced rejection from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The oil nation’s lucrative offers were rejected out of hand by Ronaldo who wants to remain in Europe for at least another two years. But Saudi Arabia, whose Saudi Public Investment Fund took over Newcastle United for a whopping £300 million, has plans to return for Ronaldo in January.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Al-Misehal recently said:
“We would love to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi league. It would bring a huge positive feedback and it would be big news for everyone. I’m sure everyone knows the achievements and records of Cristiano Ronaldo, but also as a player who is a great role model.
“I think, ‘Why not?’. I’m sure it would be a very expensive deal, of course, but we can see our clubs getting higher revenues in the past couple of years. We have already seen some big players who used to play in the Premier League come to the Saudi league. I like Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia.”
However, Cristiano is set to once again distance himself from any such offers as he has already directed Mendes to find him a new club in January to feature in the Champions League. Moreover, Chelsea are reportedly ready to take him in the winter transfer market as the club owner Todd Boehly wants the former Real Madrid player to rock the Stamford Bridge.
While the Blues’ former boss Thomas Tuchel was against the idea, his ousting has refueled Chelsea’s dream to acquire the forward. Their new manager Graham Potter too has green-light a potential deal and the London outfit could now launch an offer after the FIFA World Cup concludes in December.