Al Nassr announce Samu Costa signing as potential final move for Cristiano Ronaldo’s club amid reported financial restrictions

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to launch the 2026-27 campaign with Al Nassr, focused on building off last season’s momentum after capturing the Saudi Pro League title. While the club’s financial constraints threaten to freeze further summer activity, the Portugal superstar is set to welcome international teammate Samu Costa to the squad as its potential final addition.

On Sunday, August 9, Al Nassr officially announced Costa’s arrival, unveiling a cinematic social media teaser inspired by the hype surrounding Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film The Odyssey. “The odyssey begins. Samu has arrived to fight for you,” the club proclaimed in its announcement post.

According to Spanish outlet Diario Marca, Costa joins Al Nassr after the Saudi club triggered his €22 million buyout clause (roughly $24 million USD) with RCD Mallorca, a team currently competing in Spain’s second division. Under contract through June 2030, terms between all parties were finalized weeks ago, though Saudi financial regulations delayed the official announcement until now.

Costa represented Portugal at the 2026 World Cup alongside Ronaldo and Joao Felix, who will now serve as his teammates in Riyadh. During the 2025-26 campaign, the defensive midfielder recorded seven goals and two assists across 36 appearances in Spain, positioning him to fill the void left by departing veteran Marcelo Brozovic.

Al Nassr continues to navigate financial limits

While Costa marks Al Nassr’s first primary acquisition of the 2026 summer window, the front office has been equally active managing player departures. Constrained by strict spending caps imposed on the club’s operational budget, those financial restrictions remain firmly in place.

Per Saudi insider Nawaf Al-Tamimi, the heavy financial restrictions hovering over Al Nassr have not been lifted. Facing outstanding debts reported at SAR 800 million (roughly $214 million USD), requiring joint intervention from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and club leadership, Al Nassr remains subject to the League’s Recruitment Program oversight.

The club was allocated a specific budget ceiling for the current transfer window while undergoing a broader restructuring of team expenses. Approval for Costa’s acquisition was granted solely because the transaction utilized remaining capital earmarked within that designated recruitment framework.

However, utilizing that budget room has exhausted the club’s flexibility. According to Al-Tamimi, Al Nassr will be unable to acquire a replacement for forward Wesley following his loan to Cruzeiro, nor will management have the flexibility to enter contract renewal negotiations with key players such as Abdulrahman Ghareeb.

What’s next for Al Nassr in the transfer market?

Several exits have already been finalized to create financial relief under the league’s restrictions, including Brozovic’s free agency departure alongside moves for Jhon Duran and Wesley. Having finalized the deal for Costa, Al Nassr will not be permitted to sign additional players through the Recruitment Program, as board executives determined all remaining funds must go toward settling outstanding transfer debts.

The only remaining avenue for Ronaldo to see new additions would be through player swap deals involving zero net transfer expenditure. Furthermore, any incoming player in an exchange deal would need to accept a salary lower than the departing player’s wage, severely limiting the club’s ability to pursue further roster upgrades.