Portugal international Joao Cancelo has dropped a significant hint regarding his future, hinting he is willing to reduce his salary to secure a return to Benfica. Currently on loan at Barcelona from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the full-back's comments have added a fresh layer of intrigue to his complex transfer situation.
Barcelona are desperate to keep Joao Cancelo at the club beyond his current loan spell, but the financial hurdles involving Al-Hilal are proving difficult to clear. The Catalan giants are reportedly hoping the Portuguese international will take matters into his own hands to force a permanent stay in Spain.
Ex-Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is reportedly in line for a return to the Premier League. Displaced by Karim Benzema at Al-Hilal, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham are all said to be monitoring the 26-year-old as he seeks a redemption arc to silence the critics who once labelled him a flop at Anfield.
Chelsea have been advised to consider a transfer swoop for Darwin Nunez, with Marcel Desailly telling the Blues why the ex-Liverpool forward could end up being another Dennis Bergkamp. The mercurial Uruguayan striker endured a tough spell at Anfield, but a World Cup winner believes that he could thrive in the right surroundings - as Bergkamp once did at Arsenal.
The race for the Saudi Pro League title has taken a dramatic turn in favour of Al-Nassr. While Cristiano Ronaldo continues his clinical goal-scoring form, leading his side back to the top of the table, their rivals are reeling under the weight of shocking medical updates. With the confirmed absence of Al-Hilal striker Karim Benzema due to an adductor muscle injury, the path to silverware looks clearer than ever for the Portuguese icon and the Yellow side of Riyadh.
Jorge Jesus admits that Al-Hilal have “more economic power” than Al-Nassr, having seen Cristiano Ronaldo go on strike amid questions of how wealth is distributed among clubs controlled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The agitated Portuguese GOAT is playing again, with his manager in Riyadh appreciating why frustration has boiled over.
Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been brutally axed from the Al-Hilal squad following the arrival of Karim Benzema. The Saudi Pro League heavyweights, who have their sights set on another domestic title triumph, acquired ex-Real Madrid star Benzema during the winter transfer window. There is now no room in their ranks for Uruguay international Nunez.
Karim Benzema reportedly provoked former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after sealing his controversial transfer to Al-Hilal, with the French forward said to have sent a Saudi Pro League title joke to a disgruntled friend that has taken strike action at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo was left frustrated at seeing a fellow Ballon d’Or winner change clubs during the winter transfer window.
Harry Kane has been targeted by Saudi Pro League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, per a new report from Kicker. The England captain has a contract until 2027 but the new report states that a release clause may well exist in his current deal. Kane has impressed again this season with Bayern, scoring 24 times in just 21 Bundesliga games for the Bavarians.
Karim Benzema became caught up in an angry exchange with a journalist following his stunning debut for Al-Hilal. The veteran French striker has sparked remarkable scenes in the Saudi Pro League - with Cristiano Ronaldo going on strike - after completing a free transfer. Benzema has refuted suggestions that he left Al-Ittihad without saying goodbye to his former team-mates.
Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to leave Al-Nassr in the summer as he continues his strike action against the club, CBS Sports reports. The Portugal superstar missed the 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh in protest at PIF's decision to transfer Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal.
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always have so much bad luck?!... First, Erik ten Hag didn't recognise his unrivalled ability at Manchester United, then Fernando Santos ruined his 2022 World Cup bid with Portugal. And now, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia are conspiring to make sure his trophy drought in the Middle East extends to three-and-a-half seasons. Give the guy a break!...
Karim Benzema has ignited a storm in the Saudi Pro League by branding his new club Al-Hilal the "Real Madrid in Asia" immediately after completing a controversial transfer from rivals Al-Ittihad. While the Frenchman eyes more silverware, the move is said to have infuriated Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly attempted to block it.
Cristiano Ronaldo has not left Riyadh and continues to train with Al-Nassr, debunking reports of a strike. The Portuguese legend remains furious over the club's lack of transfer activity and the controversy surrounding Karim Benzema's proposed move to Al-Hilal, but a return to his homeland has been ruled out as he eyes the MLS or Europe for his next step.
Three years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo stunned the sporting world by joining Al-Nassr. Six months later, the Portuguese trailblazer was joined in the Saudi Pro League by a number of high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. Some of those superstars were clearly past their prime, but the mere fact that they were willing to move to the Middle East felt significant.
Karim Benzema has completed a shock January transfer from Al-Ittihad to Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal on deadline day. The former Real Madrid star was into the final few months of his deal with Al-Ittihad but has now moved on. The proposed move is unlikely to go down well with Cristiano Ronaldo who has been left frustrated by recent transfer activity in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence in the Saudi Pro League is reportedly impacting three high-profile deals that were being lined up late in the winter transfer window. Portuguese GOAT CR7 is frustrated at how things are playing out at Al-Nassr and is looking to flex his muscles when it comes to business being done by domestic rivals in the Middle East.