After Cristiano Ronaldo’s Request Fell Through, Al Nassr’s New Director Aims to Persuade Real Madrid Star to Choose Saudi Over MLS- Report

Transfers are currently the main agenda item at Al Nassr’s headquarters. A trophyless season has at least sent a message to the Knights of the Najd that there is a lot to improve. As they look for fresh recruits, skipper Cristiano Ronaldo urged the Riyadh side to sign his former Real Madrid teammate, Nacho. But as the Portuguese superstar’s request was turned down over the defender’s preference for the MLS, the club’s new director, Fernando Hierro, has now reportedly taken charge to change the player’s mind.

According to Marca and as compiled by @X99i3 on X, Nacho, whose contract is set to expire at the end of this month, received a call from Ronaldo himself about joining him in Saudi Arabia. However, the Spaniard has reportedly declined CR7’s request to accept a contract from Al Nassr, as his heart lies in the MLS. Now, with this, Fernando Hierro, who was announced as the club’s new director recently, has already gotten down to work.

The Los Blancos legend is allegedly in deep talks to change the mind of the center-back. There’s hope for Nacho to be convinced, at least by Hierro, who has worked with the 34-year-old during his time in Bernabeu as an assistant in the 2014/15 season. The new sporting director also managed the Real Madrid Castilla star while managing the Spain National Team. It remains to be seen whether Hierro will be able to change Nacho’s mind.

A stay in the Spanish capital looks unlikely, as Madrid has yet to offer him a new contract. But it’s quite surprising that he is more adamant about playing in the US than reuniting with Ronaldo in the Middle East. Perhaps the rumors of becoming Lionel Messi‘s teammate are one of the reasons behind it.

Nacho may upset Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr by pledging an alliance with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami!

As Inter Miami lost Nicolas Freire for the rest of the season due to a long-term injury, Tata Martino and his team are considering signing Real Madrid veteran Nacho Fernandez. But a free transfer makes Nacho an appealing target for other MLS clubs as well. Interestingly, the defender himself has expressed interest in playing in the USA. Despite uncertainties about how Miami will secure his signature, they seem to have a strategy.

Nacho could be categorized as a TAM (Targeted Allocation Money) player, considering Miami’s available allocation funds, with a likely contract of around $1.5 million. Another possibility is that he could become a designated player. Leonardo Campana might switch to a TAM player, creating a spot for Nacho, with Luis Suarez possibly taking that role later. Be that as it may, the possibilities for Nacho are quite a lot. It remains to be seen what decision he makes.