Ronaldo set for new teammates as Al-Nassr transfer ban lifted

Stuart Telford

Updated: 16 Jul 2023 10:40 BST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr, 2023 — © ProShots

Cristiano Ronaldo will be followed to Al-Nassr by more big names from European football with the Saudi Pro League set to have their transfer ban lifted.

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Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr on a free transfer in January following the termination of his contract with Manchester United, becoming the highest-paid player in the world in the process on €200 million a year.

Despite Ronaldo's 14 goals in 16 games, Al-Nassr could only finish as runners-up to Al-Ittihad last season, and they were expected to spend big this summer.

READ: No more spending! Saudis hit by FIFA transfer ban

Al-Nassr did manage to secure the €18m signing of Marcelo Brozovic at the start of July, but they were subsequently banned from signing new players due to a debt owed to Leicester over the 2018 recruitment of Ahmed Musa.

But this is expected to be settled by Al-Nassr's new PIF ownership in due course, with Brozovic set to have some new company in midfield.

© ProShots - Seko Fofana will leave Lens with a heavy heart, but a bigger bank balance.

Fofana deal completed 'in coming days'

"Al-Nassr expect their recruitment ban to be lifted next week," tweeted regular FootballTransfers collaborator and transfer specialist Ben Jacobs. "Leicester must confirm the receipt of £390,000 for add-ons owed as part of the Ahmed Musa deal.

"Al-Nassr hope to complete the signing of Lens captain Seko Fofana in the coming days. [The] agreement [has been] in place for quite some time."

READ: Ronaldo overtakes Messi with new world record

Fofana led Lens to Champions League qualification last season, the French club finishing just one point behind eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

Fofana is expected to cost Al-Nassr just shy of €30m, which would have been a record sale before Lois Openda's €43m transfer to RB Leipzig on Friday.

Al-Ittihad might be optimistic of defending their title next season regardless of Al-Nassr's good news - they have already recruited Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema as well as N'Golo Kante and Jota this summer.