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via Reuters
Soccer Football – Saudi Pro League – Al Nassr v Al Ettifaq – Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 22, 2023 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo before the match REUTERS/Stringer
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-22T161306Z_1235599084_UP1EJCM191S10_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-SAUDI-ANA-ETT-REPORT.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Soccer Football – Saudi Pro League – Al Nassr v Al Ettifaq – Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 22, 2023 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo before the match REUTERS/Stringer
Al Nassr has been the front face of the Saudi Pro League’s blockbuster transfer ambitions. The club from Riyadh doesn’t have an ounce of hesitation while shooting at their targets and hence grabbed the world’s highest goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the club seems to be facing a challenge regarding its primary target- Wojciech Szczesny. Hoping for some change in fortune this upcoming season, Al Nassr’s approach for the Juventus goalkeeper now faces a challenge with the involvement of a Liverpool player.
According to recent reports, the Polish international has failed to impress Al Nassr’s newly appointed Sporting Director Fernando Hierro. Taking on social media, one of the club’s X (previously Twitter) news pages recently stated that Liverpool’s Alisson is Hierro’s priority. Initially, the club appeared set to sign the former Arsenal goalkeeper, with rumors swirling about an agreement between the two clubs. But the situation is getting even trickier with nothing moving forward for the Knights of Najd.
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🚨 @mohamedalatfi1 🚨
Fernando Hierro prefers Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson over Szczesny & this was after consulting with Luis Castro. pic.twitter.com/W8akR7optD
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) June 12, 2024
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Meanwhile, the latest reports suggest that the Brazilian goalkeeper has rejected the club in yellow’s offer. Although no details of the offer were mentioned, reports suggested it was attractive, but the goalie chose to remain. Alisson’s contract with the Reds remains till 2024 and he is determined to return to Anfield once he is done with the Copa America in the USA.
The 31-year-old is the main option for Brazil after his national teammate Ederson is ruled out of the tournament because of an injury. Ederson is also one target for Al Nassr, but nothing has progressed in his case yet. Hence, the issue with the keepers could persist longer than the 9-time Saudi champions would have hoped for with an additional twist.
Al Nassr unable to lock a goalkeeper despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement
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Al Nassr may face a blow with the unavailability of a desired goalkeeper. David Ospina is also expected to depart Al Nassr after rejecting a new contract and is set to be available on a free transfer. But more importantly, after Alisson’s rejection, it is claimed that even Wojciech Szczesny’s deal is currently paused. Szczesny was ready to arrive in the Middle East after his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo motivated him through calls and suggested a few talks. However, now it is believed that there has been a problem in negotiations between the two clubs and the deal is in danger of collapse.
Reports further suggest that Al Nassr might be looking for a different type of player than the 34-year-old, and Juventus is holding out for a higher transfer fee. Therefore, Al Nassr’s recruitment team will be busy for the next month and a half, scouting for the right guardian for their goalpost. But whether they would land Szczesny, Ederson or any other player will keep the fans on pins and needles.