<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/"><strong>Cristiano Ronaldo</strong></a> has been a driving force behind <strong>Al Nassr</strong>‘s transformation into one of the most dominant sides in Saudi Arabia, with a series of high-profile signings helping to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The latest addition could be another Portuguese face, with reports claiming <strong>the club is closing in on a $35 million deal for Portugal national teammate </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/pedro-goncalves/"><strong>Pedro Goncalves</strong></a>.</p>



<p>According to Saudi outlet <em>Al-Wiam</em>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/"><strong>Al Nassr</strong></a><strong> officials are in advanced discussions over the signing of Goncalves</strong>. Currently at Sporting CP, the club where Ronaldo was raised and made his professional debut, the winger would represent the marquee addition of the upcoming summer transfer window.</p>



<p>Goncalves is contracted with Sporting through June 2030 and carries a release clause of 80 million euros. With his market value estimated at €28 million by <em>Transfermarkt</em>, <strong>Al Nassr have reportedly tabled an official offer of €30 million, approximately $35 million</strong>, in an attempt to get the deal over the line.</p>



<p>The 27-year-old has been a regular presence in Portugal’s recent squads under head coach Roberto Martinez, <strong>including the team that lifted the 2025 UEFA Nations League</strong>. While his role has been limited, totaling just 24 minutes across the last 18 matches, he has consistently featured among the substitutes for the side led by Ronaldo up front.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/14222429/pedro-goncalves-sporting-cp-arsenal-1920x1080.webp" alt="Pedro Goncalves of Sporting Clube de Portugal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Noni Madueke of Arsenal." class="wp-image-643910"><figcaption>Pedro Goncalves of Sporting CP runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Noni Madueke of Arsenal.</figcaption></figure>



<p>On the club level, Goncalves has already claimed seven trophies with Sporting CP, including three Liga Portugal titles. In the 2025-26 season, <strong>he has appeared in 39 games, registering 15 goals and eight assists</strong>, with two fixtures remaining including the Taca de Portugal final against Sport Clube Uniao Torreense.</p>


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<h2>How could Goncalves fit into Al Nassr’s system?</h2>



<p>The potential signing of Goncalves comes as something of a surprise, not because of any doubt about his quality, <strong>but because Al Nassr’s attack has been functioning at an exceptionally high level this season</strong>. Under Jorge Jesus, the club has scored 132 goals across all competitions, with Ronaldo accounting for 28 of them, while Sadio Mane, Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman have all contributed significantly to reduce the team’s dependence on any single player.</p>



<p>The issue becomes apparent, however, when one of those key figures is unavailable. Mane in particular has proven to be a decisive variable: <strong>Al Nassr have suffered just one defeat in the 34 games he has started this season</strong>, but have lost five of the 13 matches in which he was absent through injury or international duty.</p>



<p>Finding a reliable replacement for Mane has been one of Jorge Jesus’ most persistent challenges, and at 34 years old with his Al Nassr contract running through June 2027, <strong>planning for the future on the left wing is becoming increasingly urgent</strong>. Goncalves, who can also operate in the No. 10 role behind the striker in a similar fashion to Joao Felix, offers a versatile and internationally proven solution to that problem in the medium to long term.</p>


Report: Cristiano Ronaldo set for squad boost as Al Nassr close in on $35M deal for Portugal teammate Pedro Goncalves

Report: Cristiano Ronaldo set for squad boost as Al Nassr close in on $35M deal for Portugal teammate Pedro Goncalves - World Soccer Talk

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<p>After a thrilling <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-sporting-draw-in-europa-league-first-leg-20230309-WST-422884.html">2-2 draw</a> in the first leg of their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> round of 16 tie, Arsenal and Sporting faced off again at the Emirates on Thursday. This game, much like the first, was end to end throughout, with both sides playing aggressive.</p>



<p>For much of the game, Sporting looked the two more likely to score. The Portuguese side not only ripped more shots in the direction of Aaron Ramsdale. Many of the chances created came oh so close. In the first half, though, they all were left wanting. </p>



<p>Instead, it was Arsenal that grabbed the opener. And, at that time, it poised to be a similar showing for what Arsenal does in the Premier League. Grab the lead, dominate possession and shut the game down. Yet, two first-half substitutions due to injury would make that task more challenging. </p>



<p>Jorginho played an inch-perfect pass into the run of Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s attempt met the leg of Adán in goal. However, the rebound came out perfectly to Granit Xhaka, who lashed the ball across the box and into the far corner of the net. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Granit Xhaka reacts the fastest and Arsenal have the lead. 🤩<br><br>Jorginho&apos;s pass in the build up. 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/3nU2N18RM1">pic.twitter.com/3nU2N18RM1</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636463834457337856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>After that, both sides had strong chances. Gabriel Jesus smacked the gloves of Antonio Adán after a clever run through the Sporting defense. Then, just before halftime, Sporting fired one of its many shots just wide of the post.</p>



<p>That was a theme on the night. Sporting had the mentality to shoot, even if most never required action from Aaron Ramsdale.</p>



<h5>Stunning strike brings Sporting level</h5>



<p>It only took one of those attempts on target to make the difference for Sporting. Few could have expected such an audacious attempt, though. </p>



<p>Pedro Gonçalves claimed a loose ball at the halfway line. He took it just over five yards into the Arsenal half and let fly. The camera brought in a backpedaling Aaron Ramsdale, but the ball kept floating in the air. It eventually tucked in just under the crossbar, despite Aaron Ramsdale flailing his hands at the ball.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PEDRO GONÇALVES CAUGHT AARON RAMSDALE OFF OF HIS LINE!<br><br>ASTONISHING GOAL! 😳 <a href="https://t.co/DohIEkSiBt">pic.twitter.com/DohIEkSiBt</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636479460391424001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>After that, Sporting collected more and more chances. The best of those was a breakaway from Marcus Edwards. The Tottenham Hotspur academy product had a chance to sink a club he surely has disdain for. However, the face of <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636481780026077184">Aaron Ramsdale denied the shot</a>.</p>



<p>The game reached extra time in search of a winner.</p>



<h2>Arsenal and Sporting go beyond the 90 in Europa League</h2>



<p>Leandro Trossard had the first major chance of the additional 30 minutes. However, Adán met the challenge. The goalkeeper came out to meet the Belgian on the breakaway, throwing out a right fist that deflected the attempt. The ball then squirmed right and clamored off the post.</p>



<p>Adán would prove to be, on multiple occasions, the difference in this game. Not only did he have more splendid saves in extra time. He had an all-important save when the 120 minutes concluded.</p>



<p>With both clubs perfect from 12 yards, Gabriel Martinelli stepped up for Arsenal. In what was a weak effort, Adán saved the waist-high shot to his left. That put Sporting on the cusp of advancing. </p>



<p>Nuno Santos put his attempt away, giving the visitors the win, 5-3 on penalties, after a 3-3 score on aggregate.</p>



<p>A silver lining for Arsenal? It can now focus solely on the Premier League title race. The Gunners’ biggest rival, Manchester City, still has eyes on the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Arsenal and Sporting go the distance in Europa League classic

After a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie, Arsenal and Sporting faced off again at the Emirates on Thursday. This game, much like the first, was end to end throughout, with both sides playing aggressive. For much of the game, Sporting looked the two more likely [&hellip;]

After drawing 2-2 in Portugal, Sporting and Arsenal put together another fantastic display in the Europa League round of 16.

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Report: Cristiano Ronaldo set for squad boost as Al Nassr close in on $35M deal for Portugal teammate Pedro Goncalves

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Arsenal and Sporting go the distance in Europa League classic