Al Nassr Forces $28M Star to Leave as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Side Could Receive Major Defensive Boost

The last summer transfer window was quite busy for Al Nassr. After splurging over $180 million, the club managed to add firepower to their ranks. But as the winter window nears, their plan seems to have changed as the domestic side of Cristiano Ronaldo is now looking to axe players, with a $28 million star being the first on the list. 

The sudden need to force the exit of this player comes after the Saudi Pro League side is set to gain a significant defensive boost.

Al Nassr pushing a veteran towards the exit door

In the last few days, news around Seko Fofana leaving the Saudi capital, and the Knights of the Najd bringing back former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, have been the biggest rumors. However, it has been debunked by renowned Saudi journalist Ali Al-Harbi. He claims neither Fofana nor any other foreign player is set to depart during the winter transfer period. Furthermore, Al-Harbi dismissed speculations regarding the return of $28 million worth Ospina, emphasizing that his ties with Al-Nassr have conclusively ended.

Earlier, reports said that Fofana was looking to leave due to a string of poor performances. Additionally, coach Luis Castro was also looking to trade the midfielder in for another European star. But that changed after the player also gave a major update on his future. Notably, the reason Ospina wasn’t registered until the last minute was because Castro was looking to sign a new goalkeeper.

Either way, it seems the doors have closed, and it’s unlikely he’ll play again in Al Nassr colors. Meanwhile, Castro has a reason to offload the goalie as his side may receive a major defensive boost. 

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A defensive boost for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co could be next!

Even after successfully offloading David Ospina, Luis Castro won’t be signing a new goalkeeper. As per Ali Al-Harbi, the Al Nassr coach will not be seeking a foreign goalkeeper in the upcoming winter transfer window. Instead, the preference is for a foreign defender to complement Aymeric Laporte if the count of foreign players increases to nine.

Additionally, Castro believes that the current man between the sticks, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, is doing a job just fine and considers that he is at the level of a foreign goalie. For now, the Saudi Pro League club is allowed to have eight foreign players. But if the authority decides to increase this number, then it will prove beneficial for Al Nassr. 

What are your thoughts on the same? Let us know in the comments below.

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