Cristiano Ronaldo is set to complete a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, with the forward set to sign a contract until 2025.
Ronaldo is a free agent after leaving Manchester United, having reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract following the fall-out from his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
The Portugal captain has since been in negotiations with Al Nassr over a move to the Middle East and is set to sign a lucrative contract with the Saudi side. According to AS, several European clubs declined the chance to sign the five-time Ballon d’Or winner following his exit from Old Trafford.
Real Madrid – despite allowing Ronaldo to train at the club’s complex last week – decided against a deal to re-sign the club’s all-time record goalscorer, while Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain also turned down the chance to sign the 37-year-old.
According to the report, Al Nassr have for the first time acknowledged the deal is ‘done’, though his salary will fall below the reported €200m per season.
The clearest indication that an announcement is imminent is the recent change of forward Jaloliddin Masharipov from the number seven to 77, freeing the shirt ahead of Ronaldo’s arrival.
Ronaldo will become the highest-profile signing in the history of the Saudi Pro League and Asian football. His teammates at Al Nassr will include Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar and former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.
