Cristiano Ronaldo could reunite with former Man Utd teammate at Al-Nassr

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo could reunite with one of his former Manchester United teammates at Al-Nassr after reports the Saudi side are interested in signing Alex Telles this summer.

Telles has been on loan at Sevilla but is set to return to Old Trafford after starting just 11 times in La Liga this season, having fallen out of favour under new manager Jose Luis Mendilibar.

The Brazilian is entering the final year of his contract with United and he is expected to be moved on, with Erik ten Hag preferring his left-back duo of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

RETURN?: What does the future hold for Alex Telles?

Telles was told he could leave last summer but his wages, combined with United hoping to recoup the £13.5 million they paid for him, meant that a permanent move was difficult to justify for Sevilla and other European sides.

However, the 30-year-old could be offered a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia to link up with Ronaldo, whom he played with last season prior to his departure.

Telles has started just 26 Premier League games since joining United from Porto in 2020 but it remains to be seen whether he would agree to join Al-Nassr knowing that moving to a ‘lesser’ league could impact his international chances with Brazil.

Telles set to join fringe United players in summer exit

Telles played twice for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup but has otherwise struggled this season, playing most of his 34 appearances from the bench and often featuring at centre-back for Sevilla.

However, he will not have a future at United next season and they will look to move him on in order to raise funds, along with other fringe players such as Eric Bailly, Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek.

PRIORITIES: United's plans for summer transfer window revealed

United are looking to continue their rebuild under Ten Hag and will focus most of their resources on a new striker, with Harry Kane top of their shopping list.

With Kane likely to command a fee of up to £100m, any further incomings such as a midfielder or a centre back will require the sale of players such as Telles, meaning a move to Al-Nassr could be the most viable option for him.