<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> helped Al-Nassr capture the Saudi Pro League title, but the reigning champion has entered the summer transfer window under very different circumstances than many expected. While fans anticipated another ambitious recruitment drive, the club has instead found itself struggling to keep pace with rival <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-hilal/">Al-Hilal</a>, leaving many wondering why one Riyadh giant is spending freely while the other remains unusually quiet.



The contrast has become one of the biggest talking points in Saudi soccer ahead of the 2026-27 season. As Al-Hilal completes major deals and pursues more international stars, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al-Nassr</a> continues waiting for new arrivals despite lifting the league trophy only weeks ago.



Winning the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi Pro League</a> usually provides momentum for the transfer market, but that has not been the case for Al-Nassr. Instead, reports suggest the club has been forced to adopt a cautious approach while trying to stabilize its financial situation before making further additions.



Al-Riyadiyah’s reports indicate salary payments for June were partially delayed for several first-team players, while transfer plans have slowed considerably. Although the club has not officially confirmed the scale of the reported issues, multiple Saudi outlets have described a tighter financial environment than expected for the reigning champion.



The situation has also affected sporting decisions. Marcelo Brozovic’s departure has left a major vacancy in midfield, yet the club has been unable to move quickly for a replacement despite identifying the position as a transfer priority.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/02131509/ronaldo-al-nassr-1920x1080.webp" alt="ronaldo al-nassr" class="wp-image-648948"><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy</figcaption></figure>



<h2>The crucial difference with Al-Hilal</h2>



New head coach Ange Postecoglou arrived after Al-Nassr’s title-winning campaign with the expectation of building on that success. Instead, he begins preparations while waiting to see how much room the club will have to strengthen the squad. When we step back from the players individually, we can see the bigger picture that explains the different transfer-window movements.



The difference is due to a shift in the ownership structure of the teams, since Cristiano Ronaldo’s club is still held by the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/public-investment-fund/">Public Investment Fund (PIF)</a>‘s permission. After Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, acquired 70% of Al-Hilal, the club was removed from direct PIF control and gained far greater flexibility in the transfer market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/21174935/ronaldo-saudi-trophy-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-645798"><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates with the Saudi Pro League Trophy.</figcaption></figure>



Al-Nassr, meanwhile, remains under PIF ownership and continues operating within strict financial oversight and pre-approved transfer budgets. That structure has reportedly limited the club’s ability to complete deals even after winning the league.



The ownership contrast has created two very different realities for Riyadh’s biggest clubs. While the Blue Waves can pursue expensive targets more aggressively, their rival must first satisfy internal financial controls before moving forward.



<h2>Al-Hilal wastes no time strengthening</h2>



The difference has already become visible through completed transfers. Al-Hilal has secured several domestic additions and is reportedly close to signing Crysencio Summerville from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/west-ham-united/">West Ham</a> in a $91 million deal, which would become the second-most expensive transfer in Saudi Pro League history.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🔵⚪️ Al Hilal and West Ham agreed on £55m fixed fee plus £10m add-ons for Crysencio Summerville. Al Hilal are waiting for Summerville and his camp’s final green light to proceed with medical tests. AS Roma also waiting for final communication from the player’s camp. <a href="https://t.co/bJ6QVLQC50">pic.twitter.com/bJ6QVLQC50</a>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2079628786971152873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2026</a></blockquote></div>



That transfer would move ahead of the $88 million Al-Nassr paid for Jhon Duran, with only Neymar’s $103 million arrival remaining higher in league history. Reports have also linked Al-Hilal with players including Alessandro Bastoni and Harry Kane, underlining the club’s continued ambition.



The activity has inevitably increased comparisons between the two clubs. Supporters have watched Simone Inzaghi’s side continue adding talent while Al-Nassr remains focused on balancing sporting priorities with financial limitations.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr transfer problems after Saudi Pro League crown come down to one crucial difference with Al-Hilal

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr transfer problems after Saudi Pro League crown come down to one crucial difference with Al-Hilal - World Soccer Talk

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Preparations are officially underway for the 2026-27 season, and with the World Cup in the rearview mirror, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/karim-benzema/">Karim Benzema</a> is eager to wrestle Saudi Arabian soccer dominance away from Cristiano Ronaldo. In what serves as a massive boost for the French striker, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-hilal/">Al Hilal</a> has reportedly agreed to a $91 million deal to acquire Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United.



As reported by journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Al Hilal and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/west-ham-united/">West Ham</a> reached an agreement on a total package worth €80 million ($91 million). The Saudi powerhouse initially approached the 24-year-old winger back in May, but after Summerville spent the early summer exploring options across Europe, he is now set to put pen to paper on a long-term contract in Riyadh.



Summerville also drew significant interest from AS Roma during the primary window. According to Jacobs, the Italian club was preparing a €46 million offer for the forward, but despite his €35 million valuation on Transfermarkt, Al Hilal’s overwhelming bid proved too lucrative for both West Ham and the player to turn down.



A move away from East London was all but guaranteed for Summerville after West Ham suffered a catastrophic relegation from the Premier League to the EFL Championship. While several top-flight English clubs expressed interest in keeping him in the UK, none were willing to match the aggressive financial package put forward by the Saudi side.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/21141221/crysencio-summerville-netherlands-1920x1080.webp" alt="Crysencio Summerville #24 of the Netherlands celebrating." class="wp-image-667636"><figcaption>Crysencio Summerville #24 of the Netherlands celebrating.</figcaption></figure>



Despite a turbulent 2025-26 campaign with the Hammers, Summerville emerged as one of the brightest lights for the Netherlands during their World Cup run. In four appearances before the Dutch fell in the Round of 32, the dynamic winger tallied two goals and two assists in his debut tournament on the international stage.


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<h2>Summerville gives Benzema a elite partner in attack</h2>



Al Hilal has consistently featured near the top of Saudi soccer, but the 2025-26 campaign proved frustrating: even after landing Benzema during the winter transfer window, the club walked away with only the King Cup. Heading into 2026-27, Summerville’s arrival could be the exact piece needed to tip the scales back in their favor.



Benzema is locked in as the starting center forward, having already featured in a recent preseason friendly against Austrian side Sturm Graz II, with Brazilian star Malcom anchoring the right wing. Because Summerville did his finest work on that same right flank in London, head coach Simone Inzaghi will need to tweak his standard 4-3-3 tactical setup or shift one of his high-priced wingers over to the left side.

Karim Benzema set for major boost as Al Hilal reportedly agrees $91M deal for West Ham’s Summerville

Karim Benzema set for major boost as Al Hilal reportedly agrees $91M deal for West Ham's Summerville - World Soccer Talk

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr transfer problems after Saudi Pro League crown come down to one crucial difference with Al-Hilal

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Karim Benzema set for major boost as Al Hilal reportedly agrees $91M deal for West Ham’s Summerville