Cristiano Ronaldo reports branded ‘nonsense’ as Al Nassr agreement chances thrown into fresh doubt

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to agree a deal with Al Nassr after his departure from Manchester United, despite reports indicating that he had.

Ronaldo is trying to find his next club after Man Utd ended his contract early following his fall-out with Erik ten Hag. Just like he found in the summer, when he wanted to leave Man Utd due to their lack of Champions League football, there has been a lack of interest from within Europe.

Therefore, Al Nassr have been sensing an opportunity to lure one of football’s greatest ever players to Saudi Arabia. Confidence has been rising that Rudi Garcia’s side can sign him.

Spanish outlet Marca has really been pushing the story about the Real Madrid legend. On November 30, the source said Ronaldo was “close” to agreeing a deal worth €500million (more than £430million) over two-and-a-half years with Al Nassr.

It was followed by a range of sources – including TEAMtalk’s own – claiming Ronaldo was actually still holding out for a European stay.

Yet Marca wrote again on December 5 that the deal with Al Nassr is practically agreed and that he will be their player from January 1.

It seems history is repeating itself, though, as there have been several denials in the hours since.

For example, the Daily Mail has been informed by Ronaldo’s team that the idea he has signed for Al Nassr already is “nonsense”.

ESPN has also been informed that the Portugal international is yet to make a decision about the move to the Middle East. Understandably, he is focusing on the World Cup for now, even if things might be happening in the background.

And Piers Morgan – whose interview with Ronaldo really set his Man Utd exit in motion – has labelled reports claiming to confirm Ronaldo’s next move as “not true”.

Al Nassr still looking a likely option for Cristiano Ronaldo

Therefore, patience is still required to know where Ronaldo will be testing himself next after his Man Utd departure.

But with a number of European clubs ruling themselves out of the running, the Al Nassr option might remain one of his most concrete opportunities to continue his career.

Seven clubs that have distanced themselves from the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer rumours: Bayern Munich, Napoli…

Having spent his entire career in Europe – and most of it at Champions League level – the 37-year-old cannot be blamed for wanting to hold on. If he was to leave European football behind, he might not be able to return, since he would be 40 by the time his contract with Al Nassr would be ending.

However, Ronaldo might not have the luxury of choice that one might expect for a player of his calibre. Therefore, there will be further reports about Al Nassr.

Realistically, any that come before Portugal are out of the World Cup might have to be treated with a degree of caution. But this is a story we haven’t heard the last of, for sure.

READ MORE: Man Utd ‘highly involved’ in battle for defender who would clash with summer signing, as Todd Boehly obsesses over rival Chelsea deal