Al-Nassr ready to axe Cristiano Ronaldo with star lined up for return to ex-club

Cristiano Ronaldo is unhappy at Al-Nassr and after missing a second straight game, the Portugal international has been linked with a sensational return to one of his old clubs

Al-Nassr will not stand in Cristiano Ronaldo‘s way if the disgruntled star pushes for a move this summer, with a £43million release clause in the Portugal international’s contract set to kick in at the end of the season.

Ronaldo, 41, has not featured in Al-Nassr‘s last two games after effectively going on strike over his displeasure with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) for favouring rival clubs when it comes to transfer activity.

After missing Friday’s game against Al-Ittihad, speculation that Ronaldo could seek a move away from the Saudi Pro League has intensified – and it turns out they are ready to cut their ties with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid megastar.

The i Paper report that Saudi officials have been ‘taken aback’ by Ronaldo’s actions and are steadfast in their belief that no player – not even the multi-time Ballon d’Or winner – are above what they want to do with the league.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo shown what Al-Nassr fans think of strike with mass response inside stadiumREAD MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo missing from Al-Nassr team AGAIN after strike controversy

With that in mind, they are ready to ‘sign a new king’ if Ronaldo, who has been the league’s poster boy since joining in December 2022, does depart.

A source close to the league told the outlet: “With other big names leaving, we will look at lots of other marquee names in the summer. Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes would be the perfect picks. Salah especially, given he would attract an Arab audience as a Muslim.

“Either of those coming in, along with that younger talent, would be huge for us. And really soften any Ronaldo blow.”

While Manchester United have no interest in bringing Ronaldo back to Old Trafford for a third spell, there is a chance the attacker could return to his first club, Sporting Lisbon.

It remains to be seen, however, if the Portuguese outfit would be able to find the £43m that may be required to bring Ronaldo back to Europe.

Ronaldo’s absence on Friday night did not hamper Al-Nassr, who recorded a 2-0 win over Al-Ittihad courtesy of late goals from the former Liverpool attacker, Sadio Mane, and Angelo Gabriel.

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