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Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly pushing for his current club, Al-Nassr, to sign Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Saudi Pro League side was keen to secure Kovacic during the summer transfer window but ultimately failed due to roster limitations.
Now, Al-Nassr is expected to revisit the potential transfer in January, hoping to make the Croatian midfielder their marquee signing.
Al-Nassr’s Initial Interest in Kovacic
Al-Nassr made a serious attempt to sign Kovacic on deadline day this summer, offering the 30-year-old a massive contract worth £840,000 per week, roughly six times his current wages at Manchester City. However, the deal fell through due to the club’s inability to offload foreign players and make room for Kovacic in their squad.
The Saudi Pro League limits each team to a maximum of eight non-Saudi players in their matchday squad. Al-Nassr had hoped to move Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca to free up international spots, but both players remained at the club, blocking the move for Kovacic.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Influence in the Transfer
Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Kovacic during their time at Real Madrid, has reportedly been advocating for Al-Nassr to sign the Croatian midfielder. The two shared the pitch during Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning campaigns from 2016 to 2018, and Ronaldo views Kovacic as a transformative addition to Al-Nassr’s midfield.
Ronaldo’s influence has been key in Al-Nassr’s transfer strategy, and his push to sign Kovacic highlights the importance he places on strengthening the team’s midfield. Kovacic, who has started this season in excellent form for Manchester City, could provide Al-Nassr with the quality they need to compete at the top level of Saudi football.
Future Plans and Additional Targets
Despite their failure to land Kovacic in the summer, Al-Nassr remains interested in securing his services when the transfer window reopens in January 2024. The club is expected to offload some foreign players during this period to make room for new signings, including Kovacic. Al-Nassr is also exploring a move for free agent Adrien Rabiot as another midfield option.
If Al-Nassr can clear space on their roster and offer Manchester City a sizeable transfer fee, they are likely to make a fresh attempt to lure Kovacic to the Saudi Pro League. Kovacic has three years left on his City contract, but with Al-Nassr offering a salary worth over £65 million per year, the Saudi side is hopeful they can convince him to make the move.
Kovacic’s Current Role at Manchester City
Since joining Manchester City from Chelsea last summer, Kovacic has quickly established himself as a key player under manager Pep Guardiola. He made 46 appearances last season, helping City win the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final. Kovacic has continued to impress this season, starting multiple Premier League games and scoring against his former club, Chelsea, on the opening weekend.
However, with the return of Ilkay Gundogan and other midfield competition at City, Kovacic’s long-term role in the squad remains uncertain. This uncertainty could lead to a potential move to Al-Nassr, where he would join former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo Brozovic.
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Ronaldo’s Ambition for Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence at Al-Nassr continues to shape the club’s transfer policy. His push for Mateo Kovacic highlights the Saudi side’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
Although the summer transfer window ended without a deal, Al-Nassr remains confident in their ability to sign Kovacic in January. Should the move happen, Kovacic’s arrival could be a game-changer for the Saudi Pro League and Al-Nassr’s pursuit of success on both domestic and international stages.
