After successfully luring Joao Felix to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo has turned his attention toward convincing another of his Portugal national team teammates to join him at Al-Nassr. The move, while still in early stages, could reshape the dynamics of the Saudi Pro League and send shockwaves through the Premier League.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Al-Nassr has made a formal approach this week to sign Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes. This renewed pursuit comes just weeks after the club completed a $58 million deal for Joao Felix, another key figure in Portugal’s national setup.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Al-Nassr’s new head coach Jorge Jesus, who has a long-standing connection with the midfielder, having given him his debut at Sporting Lisbon during the 2017-18 season.
Jesus is reportedly eager to reunite with his former player and sees him as a crucial piece in building a Portuguese core around Ronaldo, Felix, and Otavio. “Al-Nassr’s management is fully behind the idea, and with Jorge Jesus driving it personally, it shows how highly they rate the player,” reports A Bola.
Ronaldo’s pull: More than just a teammate
It’s no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo wields significant influence at Al-Nassr, both on and off the pitch. Sources close to the club suggest Ronaldo played a major role in the Joao Felix transfer and is now actively involved in pushing for this next move.
“We believe Ronaldo’s presence could prove pivotal,” a club insider reportedly told A Bola. “He and the player share a strong bond both on and off the pitch.” The shared history and national pride could be a deciding factor as Al-Nassr tries to complete what would be a blockbuster signing.
Tempting offer, but past resistance
Earlier this summer, the Manchester United star rejected a massive $265 million offer from Al-Hilal, despite significant personal incentives. “There was an opportunity. The [Al-Hilal] president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. They were waiting for me,” the midfielder confirmed in June. “I spoke to coach [Ruben] Amorim. He asked me not to go. Manchester United didn’t want to sell me. They don’t need the money.”
While that decision seemed final at the time, the Al-Nassr proposal could be more difficult to resist, especially with the familiarity of Portuguese faces and the growing ambition of the Saudi Pro League.
