Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly edging towards a move to Saudi giants Al Nassr having agreed to a mega money £173m per year deal.
The Portuguese veteran finds himself as a free agent following his explosive exit from Manchester United earlier this month in the aftermath of his shocking interview with Piers Morgan. A number of clubs were linked with a swoop for his services immediately after the announcement was made that he would be leaving Old Trafford.
One of those clubs were Saudi outfit Al-Nassr. It was previously suggested that they had already submitted an offer to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes.
Talks were said to have opened as early as the summer with negotiations relatively advanced. The only sticking point was the 37-year-old himself - Ronaldo remaining undecided over an exit from top-level European football.
However, it now appears that he has been convinced to make a move to Al-Nassr, with reports in Spain suggesting that a deal is all but done. As per Marca, Ronaldo has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the club.
Over the duration of that contract, that would see him play into his 40s, the veteran would earn £172.9m per year - an amount that would not be feasible for any European or MLS clubs interested in a move for the striker. It is suggested that is split between his salary and ‘advertising work’.
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Ronaldo’s potential future employers Al-Nassr currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League after eight games of the season. They have won six out of those games, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three. They are currently on a break for the World Cup and resume their campaign against Al-Raed on December 16. It remains unclear over when Ronaldo’s possible debut would be should he arrive at the club.
The World Cup final in Qatar takes place just two days later and the former Man Utd star’s tournament is set to continue for at least a further week. Bruno Fernandes ’ brace against Uruguay ensured Portugal’s progression to the round of 16 with it looking likely that they will be taking on one of Switzerland, Cameroon or Serbia.
Ronaldo has certainly made a mark on the tournament in Qatar having become the first male player to score at five World Cups with his opener against Ghana in Portugal’s opening game. He claimed that he had scored against Uruguay only for Adidas to issue a statement confirming that he did not manage to get a touch on Bruno Fernandes’ cross. The 2016 European champions round-off their group stage commitments against South Korea on Friday.
