After a disappointing start to the season, Al Nassr bounced back in their third game of the Saudi Pro League, dominating Al Fateh in a 5-0 victory. The match showcased an exceptional hat trick by Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a transfer setback overshadowed the excitement of the game for Al Nassr. Just hours before the kickoff, a highly-rated star, valued at $48 million and linked with Al Nassr, chose to remain in Europe.
Saudi Arabian soccer clubs have been making significant strides in global soccer by securing contracts with world-class players. Star players like Neymar, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane have been brought in to enhance the league’s competitiveness.
After signing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr faces a transfer setback
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Al Nassr’s roster includes renowned talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, and Alex Telles. Despite these valuable additions, the club suffered a significant setback when they missed out on acquiring $48M rated star Mohammed Kudus.
The Saudi club had negotiated terms with the Ajax player. However, Kudus ultimately chose to join West Ham due to Al Nassr’s financial constraints. The 23-year-old midfielder will have a medical examination in London after Ajax finalized a $48 million deal.
Mohammed Kudus to West Ham, here we go! Verbal agreement sealed with Ajax on €45m total package add-ons included plus sell-on clause 🚨⚒️🇬🇭
Player’s five year deal also agreed and medical booked on Saturday.
Huge work by new director Tim Steidten, waiting to sign docs in 48h. pic.twitter.com/AOHMSkvr6E
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2023
While more players are joining the league, the recent events surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr highlight some dissatisfaction with the financial resources allocated to the club.
The club had previously made several substantial signings to bolster their squad for the season. One of their recent additions includes a Spanish international from Manchester City, strengthening their defensive lineup.
Al Nassr’s $30 million acquisition
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Aymeric Laporte, a Spanish center-back, departed from Manchester City to join AlNassr. The Citizens accepted a $30m fee from Al-Nassr for the player. Having been a crucial figure in City’s defense for six years, Laporte’s decision to move to the Gulf surprised soccer enthusiasts.
The Saudi club secured Laporte as their sixth major foreign signing during the off-season. Other notable signings include Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles, Seko Fofana, and Otavio. It’s worth noting that the club had also signed Cristiano Ronaldo in the previous season.
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Laporte’s journey began when he joined Manchester City from Athletic Bilbao during the January transfer window of the 2017-18 season. His time with the Premier League side saw him become a pivotal part of the defense, contributing to City’s victory in 13 major tournaments, including five Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
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