After completing the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr are planning their next move, which is to attempt to get World Cup champion Sergio Busquets.
Following a mutually agreeable termination of his contract with Manchester United, Ronaldo was introduced to the public for the first time with his new club in the Saudi Pro League in the month of January. After three attempts, he finally scored his first goal for his new club, which came shortly after he signed a contract that was reportedly worth 173 million pounds per year.
If Al-Nassr can persuade Barcelona midfielder Busquets to transfer to Riyadh, it would be another coup for the club. Busquets and Ronaldo would finally play on the same side in Clasico matches, as they were on opposing teams when Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid. The player who won the World Cup in 2010 has spent his entire career playing for the Catalan club. However, as his current deal is set to end this summer, he is currently considering his options.
Al-Nassr are ready to make an offer to Busquets that would see the Spanish international earn £16 million a year over the course of a two-year contract. In the event that he decides to sign with the Saudi club, he might find himself playing on a squad that also includes Ronaldo, Anderson Talisca, and Luiz Gustavo, all of whom are imported players.
Despite the immense financial resources of Ronaldo’s club, a move is not a given at this point. Inter Miami have also been linked with a move for Busquets, and the same report suggests that Barcelona manager Xavi, a former team-mate of Busquets’s for club and country during his own playing days, still holds out hope that his friend will sign an extension. Inter Miami have also been linked with a move for Busquets.
In addition to the massive contract, Al-Nassr might also offer Busquets the chance to participate in the Asian Champions League. At the halfway point of the season, the squad coached by Rudi Garcia is currently in first place in the league. As league champions, they will advance directly into the group stage of the continental competition.
According to a source, the director of football for Barcelona, Mateu Alemany, is quoted as saying that “Busi knows how much care is paid to him, he is an institution for the club and for the members.” “[His] contract is coming to an end, but he will evaluate what options are available to him in light of this predicament.
Alemany has stated that he will be “delighted” if the player decides to re-sign with the club, and he is prepared to wait for Busquets to decide what he will do with the rest of his career. “Between Xavi and him, they will make that decision when they weigh it, and we will support him, and if he stays, terrific,” said the manager.