Cristiano Ronaldo to make shock transfer to replace high-profile flop: report

Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo playing for Al-Nassr (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo could make a shock transfer in the January transfer window, as he still continues to impress at Al-Nassr.

Though he is set to turn 40-years-old in February, Ronaldo currently has 10 goals and three assists in 14 games in all competitions for Al-Nassr, and is targeting more silverware in Saudi Arabia - and potentially a spot in the Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Those performances have caught the eye of a club looking to replace one of their most high-profile stars, with Ronaldo seen as the perfect option to help them achieve their goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo to make Saudi Pro League switch?

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Al-Nassr against Al-Raed in August 2024.

Ronaldo is enjoying himself in Saudi (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Spanish publication Sport, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have lost patience with Neymar and want Cristiano Ronaldo to replace him, in a transfer that would stun the Middle East.

After missing a year of football with a knee injury, Neymar returned for Al-Hilal in the Asian Champions League at the end of the last month. However, after just two substitue appearances, the Brazilian has now suffered a hamstring tear and is set to miss the next four to six weeks.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 04: Neymar of Al-Hilal reacts after an injury during the AFC Champions League Elite match between Al-Hilal and Esteghlal at Kingdom Arena on November 04, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Cristiano Ronaldo

Neymar limps off (Image credit: Getty Images)

Considering Neymar has made just seven appearances in total for Al-Hilal since his £75m transfer from PSG in the summer of 2023, and the fact he earns around £130m a year, patience is growing thin at the Saudi Pro League leaders, with a contract termination under consideration.

Ronaldo, therefore, is reportedly being lined up as his replacement. On the surface, a deal would be easy to conclude, too, with Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund (PIF) owning both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal (as well as Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli).

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Despite that, even if the two clubs are unable to agree a fee for the sale of Ronaldo, the Portuguese forward is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 season anway. He'd then be available to move for free.

In FourFourTwo's view, it feels like anything could happen with Ronaldo and the Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal are currently top of the table and therefore feel like the side Ronaldo would prefer playing for, while the exact nature of a transfer is unclear.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.