Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Saudi Arabia has been thwarted by a transfer ban from Al-Hilal, according to the club president’s claims.
The Portuguese was heavily linked with a move from Manchester United after failing to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid were in the running to sign him, while a highly lucrative move to Saudi Arabia was also on the table.
And Al-Hilal chairman Farhad bin Nafel has confirmed that the club’s interest in Ronaldo is real.
Ben Nafel, who has signed a two-year deal worth £2m-a-week and £210m in total plus a transfer fee of £25m, also claimed the 37-year-old was happy with the deal ‘in principle’.
He told YouTube channel Thamanya, as quoted by the Daily Mail: “Yes, we negotiated with Ronaldo. The problem was not in the money or the principle.
“Al-Hilal is capable of bringing in the stars of the world, but it was in the decision of the Sports Arbitration Center that we prevented from registering the players.
“We have not stopped negotiating with the players despite the ban decision, but we have delayed entering the final stage of negotiations until the ban is lifted.”
Al-Hilal was given a transfer ban in May after midfielder Mohamed Kanno changed his mind about a move to Al-Nassr at the last minute with an agreement already reached by the two clubs.
The Saudi team is managed by Ramon Diaz and features players like former West Brom midfielder Matheus Pereira, former Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto and Odion Ighalo, who was loaned to Man United for a year.
Ronaldo has scored just one goal so far this season, a penalty against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League, with Erik ten Hag starting him for just one Premier League game this season.
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