The head of the Saudi Football Association, Yasser Al-Mishal, revealed on Monday his expectations that some clubs in his country will continue to try to sign football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who wants to leave Manchester United.
Ronaldo was the target of a huge offer from Al Hilal earlier this summer, as he had the opportunity to earn an amazing salary, amounting to regarding two million pounds per week, according to what was reported by the newspaper “Manchester United”.
But the “Red Devils” star rejected the offer, and he also rejected a “similar” offer from the Saudi Al-Nasr Club.
Despite this, Al-Mishal said he believed there would be more offers from Saudi clubs for the player next year.
He added to the newspaper,The Athletic“We would like to see a player like Cristiano Ronaldo playing in the Saudi League,” noting that this “will bring wide positive resonances,” according to what was reported by the Manchester United newspaper.
When asked if a Saudi club might sign him, Al-Mishal said, “I think,” why not? I am sure it will be an expensive deal of course, but we see that our clubs have generated higher revenues over the past two years, as we have already seen some of the great players who used to play in the Premier League come to the Saudi League, and I myself love Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and I would like to see him play in Saudi Arabia”.
The newspaper “Manchester United” attributes Ronaldo’s refusal to generous Saudi offers so far, because he may be reluctant to leave European football.
She says: “There is still speculation that he may leave the club at the beginning of the year (during the winter transfers), but it may be related to his desire to play football in the Champions League and not just for money.”
Aside from participating in the most expensive European competition, the 37-year-old may also want to get assurances regarding his participation in the matches, not on the bench, which is what is currently happening to him at Manchester United.
But it remains difficult for Ronaldo to get what he wants under the leadership of his current coach, Eric Ten Hag, especially in the presence of strikers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, and “we may see him move to (a club that qualifies him to play in) the Champions League in January, provided that he accepts a reduction. His wages are high, and that United find a suitable alternative,” according to the newspaper.
