Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal confirm interest in Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal only fell through due to a transfer ban, according to claims from club president Fahad ben Nafel.
Sportsmail reported on transfer deadline day that the Riyadh-based team were the only one to make an offer for the Manchester United star after he announced his desire to leave this summer due to their lack of Champions League football.
And Ben Nafel, who sanctioned a two-year contract worth £2million-a-week and £210m in total plus a £25m transfer fee, insisted the Portuguese forward was happy with the move in ‘principle’, despite reports that he felt it was a step down and his desire to play in the Champions League.
He told the Thamanya YouTube channel: ‘Yes, we negotiated with Ronaldo. The problem was not in the money or the principle.
‘Al-Hilal is able to bring in the stars of the world, but it was in the decision of the Sports Arbitration Center that prevented us from registering the players.
‘We did not stop negotiating with the players despite the decision to ban, but we were delaying entering the final stage of the negotiations until the ban was lifted.’
The offer would have made 37-year-old Ronaldo, whose only club goal this season so far came against Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Al-Hilal were slapped with a transfer ban in May after their midfielder Mohamed Kanno changed his mind on a move to Al-Nassr at the last minute, with a contract already signed with both clubs.
Al-Hilal, managed by Ramon Diaz, have the likes of former West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira, former Atletico Madrid attacker Luciano Vietto, Malian striker Moussa Marega and Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo – once of United – in their squad.
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After he missed United’s pre-season tour due to a ‘family issue’, Ten Hag has slowly been reintegrating Ronaldo into the team.
United paid Juventus an initial £12.85m to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford last summer, with the player signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.
Despite the 24 goals scored by Ronaldo in all competitions, United endured a dismal season and could only qualify for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League.
The Portuguese star told the club he wanted to leave for a new challenge but the list of potential suitors was short. He had been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the transfer window but a move never materialised.