Barcelona star offered huge money to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Al Nassr aren't prepared to stop at Cristiano Ronaldo as they look to lift the profile of Saudi Arabian football, with a Barcelona legend next on their list.

Ronaldo completed his sensational move to the Saudi Pro League on 1 January, signing a contract worth a reported €200 million per year following his release by Manchester United.

The club's social media accounts and internet search intent have exploded since Ronaldo's arrival, and they have been linked with a hosts of other players since his unveiling, such as former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo creates Real Madrid dream team at Al Nassr

But it appears a former Clasico rival in Sergio Busquets could be the next player to follow Ronaldo to Mrsool Park, with ESPN reporting the Barca midfield metronome has been offered a deal.

"Al Nassr have turned their attention to Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets after completing the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, a source has told [Samuel Marsden] and [Moises Llorens]," they posted on Twitter.

"They are prepared to offer an annual salary of around €13 million net to take him to Saudi Arabia."

READ: Busquets confirms plans to join Messi in Miami

Busquets out of contract

Busquets has made nearly 700 appearances for Barca since breaking into the first team in 2008, winning eight La Ligas and three Champions Leagues along the way, but he is out of contract at the end of the season.

But he is the second-highest paid player at Camp Nou after Frenkie de Jong, earning €37m per year before tax, and Barca are in financial trouble following their group stage exit from this season's Champions League.

They simply can't afford to offer him the same terms, although Xavi is understood to be actively persuading him to stay on beyond the conclusion of his current deal.

Busquets has also been linked with a move to MLS with David Beckham's Inter Miami, but is yet to decide on his future.